Question

Manager: 'Employees who attended our new training program showed a 15 percent increase in productivity. Therefore, we should make the training program mandatory for all employees.' Which of the following, if true, most weakens the manager's argument?

• A. The training program was generally popular among the employees who attended it.
• B. The employees who volunteered for the training were already the most motivated and highest-performing workers.
• C. The training program lasted only two days from start to finish.
• D. Employee productivity in the company is measured once every quarter.

Hint:

Consider whether the people who signed up for the training might already have been different from the rest of the staff in a way that explains their results.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The manager assumes the training itself caused the productivity gain. If the attendees were volunteers who were already the most motivated and highest-performing, their higher productivity may reflect who they are rather than the training, so making it mandatory for everyone may not produce the same gain. Popularity, program length, and measurement frequency do not challenge the causal link. The correct option is 'The employees who volunteered for the training were already the most motivated and highest-performing workers.'