Answer:
b. cannot test his theory because his observations violate the ceteris paribus assumption
Explanation:
As per the law of supply, when price of an input rises, quantity supplied of a good falls, keeping other factors affecting supply as constant (ceteris paribus).
Leather and Shoes are complimentary goods in the sense that leather serves as an input for the product i.e shoes. So if the price of leather rises, production of shoes would fall, keeping other factors constant.
When the price of an input rises, the quantity supplied falls, keeping other factors affecting supply as constant.
In the given case, the price of inputs has increased and yet the production of shoes has increased owing to an advancement in the technology. Technology is a different determinant of quantity supplied and considered as an other factor affecting supply.