GRE General TestAnalytical WritingMedium
A company CEO argues that employee productivity has significantly increased since the implementation of a new 'open office' layout, citing a 10% rise in quarterly output reports. Which of the following, if true, would most strongly suggest that the open office layout is NOT the primary cause of the increased productivity?
- AThe company's main competitor, which retains traditional office spaces, also reported a similar increase in productivity during the same quarter.
- BThe company also introduced a new, more efficient project management software at the same time.
- CSeveral employees have reported difficulty concentrating due to increased noise levels.
- DEmployee surveys indicate a general decrease in job satisfaction since the switch to the open office layout.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The company also introduced a new, more efficient project management software at the same time.
This question asks to identify an alternative cause for the observed effect. If a new, more efficient software was introduced concurrently with the open office, it presents a plausible alternative explanation for the productivity increase, thereby weakening the claim that the open office was the primary cause.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This would suggest an industry-wide trend or external factor, which could be an alternative cause but is less direct than a specific internal change like new software.
- C. This suggests a negative impact of the open office, but doesn't explain the *increase* in productivity attributed to it.
- D. Decreased job satisfaction doesn't directly negate the productivity increase, though it might suggest other negative effects.
Alternative Cause
An alternative cause is an unstated reason or factor that could be responsible for an observed effect, thereby weakening the conclusion that a different, stated cause is the primary one.
- Challenges causal claims.
- Introduces a plausible rival explanation.
- Often overlooked in initial reasoning.
Memory trick: Don't jump to conclusions, another path might lead to the same result.