LSAT Explanation PT 38, S1, Q3: An anthropologist hypothesized that a certain

LSAT Question Stem

In the absence of the anthropologist's reply, which one of the following principles, if established, would most support the chemist's charge? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Principle (Misc) question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first break down the passage. An anthropologist hypothesized that a medicinal powder contained a deadly toxin. She performed a test, which came back negative for the toxin. However, she didn't report the results. A chemist accused her of fraud, but the anthropologist claimed that the test results were invalid because the powder was tested in an acidic solution.

Think of this situation like a chef who suspects a dish contains a harmful ingredient. She tests the dish and finds no trace of the harmful ingredient, but she doesn't report the results. Another chef accuses her of being dishonest, but she claims the test was flawed because the dish was tested in the wrong conditions.

The question type is a Principle (Misc) question, which means we're looking for a principle that would support the chemist's charge of fraud if the anthropologist's reply wasn't considered.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This answer choice talks about reporting false results or results for experiments not conducted. In the passage, the anthropologist didn't report any results, so this principle doesn't apply.

b) This answer choice suggests that scientists can commit fraud and still report some disconfirmations of their hypotheses. However, the anthropologist didn't report any results, so this principle doesn't apply.

c) This answer choice says that scientists can neglect to report some disconfirmations and still be innocent of fraud. We're looking for a principle that supports the charge of fraud, so this principle doesn't help our case.

d) This answer choice says that scientists commit fraud when they report a test result they know to be invalid. However, the anthropologist didn't report any results, so this principle doesn't apply.

e) This answer choice states that scientists who neglect to report any experiment that could be interpreted as disconfirming their hypotheses have committed fraud. This principle applies to the situation in the passage, as the anthropologist didn't report the negative test results that could have disconfirmed her hypothesis. Therefore, this principle supports the chemist's charge of fraud.

The correct answer is E. It's okay for principle questions to have a broad answer, as principles are general ideas that can be applied to specific situations, like the one in the passage. Answer choice E provides a general rule that supports the chemist's accusation of fraud in this particular case.