Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1Given the sampling frame, the observed effect ............... an artefact of selection rather than a genuine treatment impact.
Wrong!
Use a modal that expresses a plausible explanation without claiming certainty.
2If the instrument is valid, the divergence ............... to measurement error alone.
Wrong!
The phrase 'cannot be attributed to' signals that a single-cause explanation is being ruled out.
3The null finding ............... as evidence of absence, given the study's limited power.
Wrong!
Academic caution prefers 'should not be interpreted' to avoid overclaiming from a null result.
4On the basis of the archival record alone, we ............... whether the policy shift was intentional.
Wrong!
With incomplete evidence, the natural stance is that we cannot say for sure.
5The pattern is consistent with a threshold effect, though it ............... from unobserved heterogeneity.
Wrong!
Use a hedge that keeps an alternative explanation open.
6The unusually narrow confidence interval ............... a reporting error, so we rechecked the code.
Wrong!
A strong suspicion is expressed with 'might indicate' rather than certainty.
7Even under generous assumptions, the proposed mechanism ............... the magnitude of the observed change.
Wrong!
Use a modal that expresses inability to explain something adequately.
8The authors' conclusion ............... premature, since the replication attempt is still underway.
Wrong!
The idiomatic academic hedge here is 'may be premature'.
9The discrepancy ............... to differences in case definition, but the paper provides no coding appendix.
Wrong!
Use a cautious attribution that remains tentative.
10From these premises it ............... that the model is misspecified, although alternative priors could soften the result.
Wrong!
The fixed phrase is 'it does not follow that' to deny a necessary inference.
11The evidence is suggestive but ............... to warrant a causal claim in the abstract.
Wrong!
The standard academic collocation is 'insufficient to warrant'.
12The convergence of independent datasets ............... that the effect is robust across contexts.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
With converging evidence, cautious verbs like 'suggests' and 'indicates' are appropriate, while 'proves' overstates certainty.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Given the sampling frame, the observed effect might be an artefact of selection rather than a genuine treatment impact.
- If the instrument is valid, the divergence cannot be attributed to measurement error alone.
- The null finding should not be interpreted as evidence of absence, given the study's limited power.
- On the basis of the archival record alone, we cannot determine whether the policy shift was intentional.
- The pattern is consistent with a threshold effect, though it could arise from unobserved heterogeneity.
- The unusually narrow confidence interval might indicate a reporting error, so we rechecked the code.
- Even under generous assumptions, the proposed mechanism cannot explain the magnitude of the observed change.
- The authors' conclusion may be premature, since the replication attempt is still underway.
- The discrepancy may be due to differences in case definition, but the paper provides no coding appendix.
- From these premises it does not follow that the model is misspecified, although alternative priors could soften the result.
- The evidence is suggestive but insufficient to warrant a causal claim in the abstract.
- The convergence of independent datasets suggests that the effect is robust across contexts.
The convergence of independent datasets indicates that the effect is robust across contexts.
