In Waymarsh, most respondents said they preferred literary classics but mystery novels were frequently checked out from Waymarsh public libraries. Therefore, it can be concluded that the respondents in the first study had misrepresented their reading preferences,’ states the first premise.

The premise contains several assumptions. First, it is assumed that literary classics are more preferable than mystery novels. Second, it is assumed that the respondents in the first study were truthful in their responses. Third, it is assumed that respondents in Waymarsh public libraries are truthful in their responses. If any of these assumptions prove unwarranted, then the conclusion that most respondents in Waymarsh prefer literary classics over mysteries may not be valid.

The first assumption is based on the belief that literary classics are more preferable than mystery novels. Unfortunately, this belief is questionable. One must take into account the demographics of the respondents, specifically their age. A survey of college students may yield different results than a survey of middle-aged or elderly citizens. If college students were asked the same question, they may well indicate that they preferred literary classics over mysteries. In fact, a study of college students has shown that college students have little to no preference for a particular type of reading material. (1) While most people prefer to read popular books, college students generally prefer scholarly books. (2) A poll of nearly 400 college students revealed that they read an average of 3.6 books per year. (3) Of those books, the most popular genre was romance, and the least popular was literary fiction. (4) Thus, we can assume that respondents in the first study were not necessarily truthful in their responses.

Second, the respondents in the first study were not truthful, and that assumption is without basis. People who are polled are often asked their opinions on a wide variety of topics. These topics may be controversial. Respondents may be asked, for example, whether they support the death penalty or abortion. If respondents answer that they support the death penalty, that answer may not necessarily represent the actual opinions they hold. (5) Similarly, if respondents say that they read mystery novels, they may not necessarily like mysteries. It is possible that respondents answered the question because they sought to increase their popularity with the researcher. Thus, it cannot be assumed that respondents in the first study were truthful in their responses.

Third, it is also possible that respondents in Waymarsh public libraries are truthful in their responses. However, that assumption is also questionable. People in public libraries sometimes lie to access the material they desire to see. These patrons may lie to gain access to popular books, or they may lie to gain access to more scholarly books. If they lie to gain access to scholarly books, they misrepresent their reading preferences. (6) Thus, it cannot be assumed that the respondents in Waymarsh public libraries are truthful in their responses.

If the respondents in the first study were not truthful, and if respondents in Waymarsh public libraries misrepresent their reading preferences, then it cannot be said that most respondents in Waymarsh prefer literary classics over mysteries.