GRE General TestAnalytical WritingHard
A school principal argues that implementing a mandatory school uniform policy will reduce bullying and improve academic performance. The principal supports this claim by citing anecdotal evidence from a few parents who reported their children felt safer and more focused after uniforms were introduced. What is the most significant limitation of the principal's argument?
- AThe evidence is based on personal testimonies, not objective data or controlled studies.
- BIt does not specify the type or color of the uniforms to be implemented.
- CIt assumes that all students will respond positively to wearing uniforms.
- DIt fails to consider the financial burden uniforms place on low-income families.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The evidence is based on personal testimonies, not objective data or controlled studies.
Anecdotal evidence, while sometimes compelling, is highly subjective and not systematically collected. It lacks the rigor of objective data or controlled studies needed to establish a causal link between uniforms and reduced bullying or improved academics, and is susceptible to bias (e.g., parents who support uniforms are more likely to report positive experiences).
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The specifics of the uniform design are irrelevant to the core weakness of the evidence used to support the policy's claimed benefits.
- C. While the policy aims for a positive outcome, the core weakness is the *type of evidence* used to *justify* the expected positive outcomes, not the assumption of universal positive response.
- D. This is a valid practical concern, but it addresses a consequence of the policy, not a flaw in the *argument's justification* for the policy's effectiveness.
Limitations of Anecdotal Evidence
Anecdotal evidence is based on personal stories or isolated examples. Its limitations include lack of generalizability, susceptibility to bias, and inability to establish causation.
- Highly subjective and prone to selective memory or reporting.
- Cannot be used to draw broad conclusions or establish cause-and-effect relationships.
- Often lacks a control group for comparison, making it difficult to isolate effects.
Memory trick: Evidence EVALUATES, not just echoes.