A recent study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that employees with paid s
are 28 percent less likely to be involved in a work-related accident than employees who do not rec
payment for sick leave. Researchers hypothesize that employees with unpaid sick leave feel pressu
work during time of illness for fear of lack of pay. On-the-job accidents are then spurred by impai
judgment or motor skills due to illness or illness-related medications. The highest-risk occupation
as construction, showed the highest discrepancy between paid and unpaid leave.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to deter
whether the researchers’ hypothesis is reasonable. Be sure to explain what effects the answers to t
questions would have on the validity of the hypothesis
The author provides two pieces of evidence in support of the researchers’ contention that workers
without paid sick leave are more likely to work when ill, and that such workers are more likely to
experience a job-related accident as a result. The results of the study cannot be disputed — we must accept
as true, for example, that those with paid sick leave are significantly less likely to have work-related
accidents than those without paid sick leave. We might, however, question whether the study was large
enough, or representative enough, to draw broad conclusions. Further, the study does not demonstrate
causation: it does not tie the incidence of work-related accidents to illness. While the researchers’
hypothesis is certainly one possibility, more research is needed to eliminate other possibilities and to
bolster the strength of this argument.
The largest leap in the argument is the assumption that those without paid sick leave feel pressured to
work when ill. No evidence is presented to establish this supposition. In order to strengthen this part of the
argument, the researchers might ask study participants whether they have actually come to work ill during
the same timeframe covered by the original study and, if so, why they chose to come to work when ill. If
the study participants who did experience a work-related accident were also more likely to come to work
ill for fear of lack of pay, then the hypothesis would be much more strongly supported, particularly if this
occurred with a correspondingly large proportion of workers (to match the 28% greater incidence of
accidents in the original study).
The researchers would also strengthen their case by addressing alternate explanations for the data in
the original study. For instance, are there differences between the two groups based upon industry or job
performed that might explain the data? For example, are hourly workers more likely to lack paid sick leave,
while salaried workers are more likely to receive it? Are hourly workers more likely to work in blue-collar
or more manual occupations, where on-the-job accidents are more frequent? If so, then we would expect a
correlation between unpaid sick leave and a higher incidence of workplace accidents because the work
itself is inherently more dangerous, not because people are choosing to work when ill. Further, if it is the
case that higher-risk occupations in general are more likely to lack paid leave, then the second piece of
evidence also loses its significance. In such a case, the researchers’ hypothesis would be significantly
weakened.
The data presented also lacks a depth of detail that would help us to evaluate the significance of the
study results. How many people were surveyed? What is the margin of error and how was the study
conducted? Is the 28% figure statistically significant? If the study represented a large enough survey group
to extrapolate to the general population, across regions, industries, and job responsibilities, then the study
results may be conveying something significant. If, alternatively, few people were surveyed or the
incidence of job-related accidents were very low, then perhaps the 28% difference represented a small
number of people, well within the statistical variance expected.
While the argument presents an interesting hypothesis, the data presented is not strong enough to
establish the validity of the conclusion to even a small degree. First, at a basic level, we need to know
whether the existing data is statistically significant and sufficiently representative. There are also several
gaps in the logic chain, assertions made without supporting evidence. Finally, the researchers could
strengthen their case by examining, and dismissing, alternate explanations for the data presented thus far.
These steps might not be enough to establish the validity of the hypothesis beyond a doubt, but they would
allow the researchers to determine whether the pursuit of the hypothesis is a good use of time, funds, and
attention.
Comments
Essay evaluation report
Attribute Value Ideal
Final score: 3.0 out of 6
Category: Satisfactory Excellent
No. of Grammatical Errors: 0 2
No. of Spelling Errors: 0 2
No. of Sentences: 60 15
No. of Words: 641 350
No. of Characters: 3304 1500
No. of Different Words: 271 200
Fourth Root of Number of Words: 5.032 4.7
Average Word Length: 5.154 4.6
Word Length SD: 2.979 2.4
No. of Words greater than 5 chars: 226 100
No. of Words greater than 6 chars: 183 80
No. of Words greater than 7 chars: 142 40
No. of Words greater than 8 chars: 106 20
Use of Passive Voice (%): 0 0
Avg. Sentence Length: 10.683 21.0
Sentence Length SD: 5.433 7.5
Use of Discourse Markers (%): 0.483 0.12
Sentence-Text Coherence: 0.205 0.35
Sentence-Para Coherence: 0.811 0.50
Sentence-Sentence Coherence: 0.061 0.07
Number of Paragraphs: 42 5
Grammar and spelling errors:
Line 5, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Experience
... that such workers are more likely to experience a job-related accident as a result. The...
^^^^^^^^^^
Line 9, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Accidents
...ntly less likely to have work-related accidents than those without paid sick leave. We ...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 11, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Enough
... question whether the study was large enough, or representative enough, to draw broa...
^^^^^^
Line 13, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Causation
...rther, the study does not demonstrate causation: it does not tie the incidence of work-...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 17, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Bolster
... eliminate other possibilities and to bolster the strength of this argument. The la...
^^^^^^^
Line 21, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Work
...out paid sick leave feel pressured to work when ill. No evidence is presented to e...
^^^^
Line 25, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: The
...have actually come to work ill during the same timeframe covered by the original ...
^^^
Line 33, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Accidents
...to match the 28% greater incidence of accidents in the original study. The researcher...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 37, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: The
...lternate explanations for the data in the original study. For instance, are there...
^^^
Line 39, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Performed
...two groups based upon industry or job performed that might explain the data? For exampl...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 43, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Or
...rs more likely to work in blue-collar or more manual occupations, where on-the-j...
^^
Line 47, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Itself
... workplace accidents because the work itself is inherently more dangerous, not becau...
^^^^^^
Line 51, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Evidence
... paid leave, then the second piece of evidence also loses its significance. In such a ...
^^^^^^^^
Line 53, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Weakened
...os; hypothesis would be significantly weakened. The data presented also lacks a dept...
^^^^^^^^
Line 57, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Study
...s to evaluate the significance of the study results. How many people were surveyed?...
^^^^^
Line 59, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Conducted
...margin of error and how was the study conducted? Is the 28% figure statistically signif...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 59, column 57, Rule ID: SENTENCE_FRAGMENT[1]
Message: “If” at the beginning of a sentence requires a 2nd clause. Maybe a comma, question or exclamation mark is missing, or the sentence is incomplete and should be joined with the following sentence.
...e 28% figure statistically significant? If the study represented a large enough su...
^^
Line 63, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Results
... job responsibilities, then the study results may be conveying something significant....
^^^^^^^
Line 67, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Number
...he 28% difference represented a small number of people, well within the statistical ...
^^^^^^
Line 71, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Establish
...ata presented is not strong enough to establish the validity of the conclusion to even ...
^^^^^^^^^
Line 73, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Whether
...st, at a basic level, we need to know whether the existing data is statistically sign...
^^^^^^^
Line 75, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Gaps
...epresentative. There are also several gaps in the logic chain, assertions made wit...
^^^^
Line 77, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Strengthen
...dence. Finally, the researchers could strengthen their case by examining, and dismissing...
^^^^^^^^^^
Line 83, column 1, Rule ID: UPPERCASE_SENTENCE_START
Message: This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
Suggestion: Attention
...sis is a good use of time, funds, and attention.
^^^^^^^^^
Transition Words or Phrases used:
actually, also, but, finally, first, however, if, may, second, so, then, thus, well, while, for example, for instance, in general, as a result
Attributes: Values AverageValues Percentages(Values/AverageValues)% => Comments
Performance on Part of Speech:
To be verbs : 33.0 19.6327345309 168% => OK
Auxiliary verbs: 15.0 12.9520958084 116% => OK
Conjunction : 14.0 11.1786427146 125% => OK
Relative clauses : 13.0 13.6137724551 95% => OK
Pronoun: 30.0 28.8173652695 104% => OK
Preposition: 77.0 55.5748502994 139% => OK
Nominalization: 28.0 16.3942115768 171% => OK
Performance on vocabulary words:
No of characters: 3520.0 2260.96107784 156% => OK
No of words: 642.0 441.139720559 146% => Less content wanted.
Chars per words: 5.48286604361 5.12650576532 107% => OK
Fourth root words length: 5.03365860172 4.56307096286 110% => OK
Word Length SD: 3.13072681554 2.78398813304 112% => OK
Unique words: 287.0 204.123752495 141% => OK
Unique words percentage: 0.447040498442 0.468620217663 95% => OK
syllable_count: 1082.7 705.55239521 153% => OK
avg_syllables_per_word: 1.7 1.59920159681 106% => OK
A sentence (or a clause, phrase) starts by:
Pronoun: 5.0 4.96107784431 101% => OK
Article: 13.0 8.76447105788 148% => OK
Subordination: 9.0 2.70958083832 332% => Less adverbial clause wanted.
Conjunction: 7.0 1.67365269461 418% => Less conjunction wanted as sentence beginning.
Preposition: 7.0 4.22255489022 166% => OK
Performance on sentences:
How many sentences: 27.0 19.7664670659 137% => OK
Sentence length: 23.0 22.8473053892 101% => OK
Sentence length SD: 73.2770453637 57.8364921388 127% => OK
Chars per sentence: 130.37037037 119.503703932 109% => OK
Words per sentence: 23.7777777778 23.324526521 102% => OK
Discourse Markers: 5.25925925926 5.70786347227 92% => OK
Paragraphs: 40.0 5.15768463074 776% => Less paragraphs wanted.
Language errors: 24.0 5.25449101796 457% => Less language errors wanted.
Sentences with positive sentiment : 8.0 8.20758483034 97% => OK
Sentences with negative sentiment : 16.0 6.88822355289 232% => Less negative sentences wanted.
Sentences with neutral sentiment: 3.0 4.67664670659 64% => OK
What are sentences with positive/Negative/neutral sentiment?
Coherence and Cohesion:
Essay topic to essay body coherence: 0.223215756911 0.218282227539 102% => OK
Sentence topic coherence: 0.0615393272638 0.0743258471296 83% => OK
Sentence topic coherence SD: 0.0606214966554 0.0701772020484 86% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence: 0.0555645380509 0.128457276422 43% => OK
Paragraph topic coherence SD: 0.0511488793324 0.0628817314937 81% => OK
Essay readability:
automated_readability_index: 16.3 14.3799401198 113% => OK
flesch_reading_ease: 39.67 48.3550499002 82% => OK
smog_index: 11.2 7.1628742515 156% => OK
flesch_kincaid_grade: 13.4 12.197005988 110% => OK
coleman_liau_index: 14.8 12.5979740519 117% => OK
dale_chall_readability_score: 8.05 8.32208582834 97% => OK
difficult_words: 133.0 98.500998004 135% => OK
linsear_write_formula: 14.0 12.3882235529 113% => OK
gunning_fog: 11.2 11.1389221557 101% => OK
text_standard: 14.0 11.9071856287 118% => OK
What are above readability scores?
---------------------
Write the essay in 30 minutes.
Maximum six paragraphs wanted.
Rates: 66.67 out of 100
Scores by essay e-grader: 4.0 Out of 6
---------------------
Note: the e-grader does NOT examine the meaning of words and ideas. VIP users will receive further evaluations by advanced module of e-grader and human graders.