Official Explanation

Argument Evaluation

Which one of the answer choices would most help in determining whether the device is effective for its intended purpose?

A handheld scanning device has been developed to read brain signals and determine the severity of a concussion. The intended purpose of this device is to help doctors decide whether an athlete who has received a blow to the head during competition can be allowed back into the game.

A. If the database is regularly updated, it might increase the effectiveness of the device in the future. This is not relevant to answering whether the device will help doctors make medical decisions during games.

B. Correct. If the answer is yes, then the device is effective for its intended purpose. If the answer is no, then the device is not effective for its intended purpose: to help doctors make sound decisions about whether athletes who have suffered a head blow can safely resume play during a game.

C. Endorsement by medical professionals might help marketing of the device, but it is not directly relevant to deciding whether the device is technically suitable for its intended purpose. Simply being a medical professional does not necessarily make one an expert on such issues; that is, medical professionals in general are not involved in deciding whether athletes who have received a head blow in a game can safely resume play in the game.

D. In order to be technically useful, the database would have to be representative of functioning brains in a variety of activities. This includes both normally functioning brains and abnormally functioning brains. Note that even if this condition is met, it would not be sufficient to decide on whether the device is adequate for its intended purpose.

E. Previous mistakes by team doctors implies a genuine need for the device. However, this issue is separate from the issue of whether the device itself can help doctors make sound decisions. That is, while such a device may be needed, it is possible that this particular device still does not effectively help doctors make the decision to send athletes back into the game.

The correct answer is B.