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The researchers conclude cause based on correlation. I initially went to hunt for an answer choice that points to another cause rather than the VDTs. Would glare from VDTs be considered an alternate cause? Is that considered an alternate cause from VDTs?

That is why I wanted to go with C, as providing an alternate cause, but is the problem eye strain to headaches? Too far of a leap?

One glaring reason why C is wrong is because it states that, "causes SOME users to suffer eyestrain". It causes SOME user to suffer eyestrain, well, that doesn't mean anything. Furthermore, what does eye strain tell us about headaches... well, nothing.

D is the best answer in that it introduces anther consideration that those who experienced the headaches were overestimating the amount using VDTs. So, the claim that VDT causes headaches is severely weakened because those that experience headaches are overestimating the time using VDTs.

When I was looking for answers I was thinking of "what if those who used the VDT and said they were suffering from headaches were already suffering from headaches BEFORE they used VDT". Answer choice D gives another interpretation of this answer.

Would glare from vdts be considered an alternate cause rather than vdts?

Would eye strain be too much of a stretch from headache?

CREATION wrote:The researchers conclude cause based on correlation. I initially went to hunt for an answer choice that points to another cause rather than the VDTs.

You correctly identified one of the errors in the argument's reasoning (correlation = cause&effect); however, the correct answer addressed another error.

(D) implies the survey was flawed.

If the survey respondents overestimated their time spent using VDTs, the accuracy of the survey would be in question. The researchers therefore based their conclusion (VDTs cause headaches) on questionable data.

CREATION wrote:Would glare from vdts be considered an alternate cause rather than vdts?

Would eye strain be too much of a stretch from headache?

You're thinking that Glare --alt.cause--> Eye Strain/Headache. Two things wrong with this:

1. Eye Strain and Headaches are not the same.

2. Glare is not an alternate cause because it's caused by VDTs. Therefore, VDTs would still be the main cause. An alternate cause would be seperate from VDTs.

vamos wrote:

CREATION wrote:Would glare from vdts be considered an alternate cause rather than vdts?

Would eye strain be too much of a stretch from headache?

You're thinking that Glare --alt.cause--> Eye Strain/Headache. Two things wrong with this:

1. Eye Strain and Headaches are not the same.

2. Glare is not an alternate cause because it's caused by VDTs. Therefore, VDTs would still be the main cause. An alternate cause would be seperate from VDTs.

you're over thinking the questions. Usually if you have to over think it then it's wrong. let it go bro.

Mr. Pancakes wrote:you're over thinking the questions. Usually if you have to over think it then it's wrong. let it go bro.

Huh? Were you responding to the OP? Cause vamos was explaining why an answer choice was bad, and particularly on point 2, he's right.