[习作点评] Argument 85 互改谢谢 [复制链接]

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发表于 2017-4-5 00:46:23 |只看该作者 |倒序浏览

85. In a study of the reading habits of Waymarsh citizens conducted by the University of Waymarsh, most respondents said that they preferred literary classics as reading material. However, a second study conducted by the same researchers found that the type of book most frequently checked out of each of the public libraries in Waymarsh was the mystery novel. Therefore, it can be concluded that the respondents in the first study had misrepresented their reading habits.

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

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Argument 85

While there is possibility that the respondents in the first study of Waymarsh citizen’s reading habits may be misrepresented, the author’s argument yet seems tenuous based on merely simple comparison of two different designed studies without articulating study procedures, sampling principles and etc.

First, the author cites the first study to show Waymarsh citizen’s preference of literary classics. It is ambiguous, however, how the study is sampled and questionnaire is designed, thus lacking validity information. The study could have used a convenient sample-say the respondents mostly from a reading club, whose reading capability is higher than average citizens-rather than a strictly random sample, which may result in biased preference. Moreover, the questionnaires may not be soundly developed. For instances, the respondents may be asked to choose from literacy classics and science books, and with limited choices, the results may fail to represent the citizens’ reading habits.

Despite the validity of the first study, the author relies on an indispensable assumption that the two studies are based on the same population, if not the exactly the same respondents. Even if we assume that study one is well-designed and could represent the opinion of Waymarsh citizens, study two may not examine the same readers’ borrowing behavior. People who borrow books from public libraries in Waymarsh are not necessarily its citizens, since public libraries are open to almost everyone, ranging from international students to curious travelers. It is also likely that library attracts readers from its vicinity, therefore the preference of readers who live far away with less access to public libraries is underestimated in the second study. To strengthen his/her argument, the author would benefit from screening borrowers to make sure the two study represent the same readers.

Furthermore, the author implies that the frequency of book checked out in the library is sufficient to show the preference as surveyed in the first study. Yet it may not be the case. If the governor of the library prefers mystery novel himself and decides to purchase more books of this kind, the frequency is high in itself and is not necessarily be due to general readers’ preference. In addition, fans of literacy classics may be more willing to purchase their loved books and expand their collection instead of borrowing one from public libraries which they have to return in limit period, which may also present a seemingly higher frequency of mystery books than literacy classics. To strengthen the author’s argument, it’s beneficial to conduct further studies about reading habits of readers in library and compare with the first study in terms of samples and questionnaires.

The simplistic conclusion from comparison of a survey and a library record that respondents in the first study had misstated their reading preference is not strong enough and needs further examinations.

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习作互改, Argument 85, GRE