A researcher is examining Dr. Elena Rodriguez's groundbreaking 2019 study on urban bee populations. Rodriguez's team monitored seventeen city parks...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A researcher is examining Dr. Elena Rodriguez's groundbreaking 2019 study on urban bee populations. Rodriguez's team monitored seventeen city parks across three metropolitan areas over eighteen months. The researcher argues that while Rodriguez's conclusions about declining bee diversity are scientifically sound, her study's methodology represents a strategic adaptation to practical constraints rather than an ideal experimental design.
Which quotation from a journal review of Rodriguez's work would most effectively support this argument?
'Faced with limited funding and restricted access to private properties, Rodriguez creatively utilized public park spaces and developed innovative monitoring techniques that, while unconventional, yielded remarkably robust data about urban pollinator communities.'
'Rodriguez's study received the prestigious Environmental Research Award from the International Ecology Society, recognizing its significant contribution to urban biodiversity research.'
'The eighteen-month timeframe of Rodriguez's research allowed her team to observe seasonal variations in bee populations and document previously unknown behavioral adaptations to city environments.'
'Rodriguez has described her work as an effort to understand how urbanization affects native bee species and to identify conservation strategies that cities can implement to support pollinator health.'
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'A researcher is examining Dr. Elena Rodriguez's groundbreaking 2019 study on urban bee populations.' |
|
| 'Rodriguez's team monitored seventeen city parks across three metropolitan areas over eighteen months.' |
|
| 'The researcher argues that while Rodriguez's conclusions about declining bee diversity are scientifically sound, her study's methodology represents a strategic adaptation to practical constraints rather than an ideal experimental design.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A researcher argues that while Rodriguez's bee study conclusions are valid, her methodology was shaped by practical constraints rather than representing ideal experimental design.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that someone is examining Rodriguez's bee population study, provides basic details about the study's scope, then presents the examiner's nuanced argument that separates the validity of the conclusions from the methodology, characterizing the latter as constraint-driven rather than ideal.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which quotation would most effectively support the researcher's specific argument
What type of answer do we need? A quote that supports the claim that Rodriguez's methodology was a strategic adaptation to practical constraints rather than ideal design
Any limiting keywords? 'most effectively support' - we need the strongest support for this particular argument
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The researcher's argument has two parts: Rodriguez's conclusions are sound, but her methodology was adapted to practical constraints rather than being ideal
- For a quote to support this argument, it needs to show that Rodriguez faced practical limitations or constraints and indicate that her methodology was shaped by these constraints rather than being the ideal approach
'Faced with limited funding and restricted access to private properties, Rodriguez creatively utilized public park spaces and developed innovative monitoring techniques that, while unconventional, yielded remarkably robust data about urban pollinator communities.'
✓ Correct
- This quote directly mentions 'limited funding and restricted access to private properties' - concrete practical constraints
- Shows Rodriguez 'creatively utilized public park spaces' and 'developed innovative monitoring techniques' - clear adaptation to constraints
- Notes the techniques were 'unconventional' but still 'yielded remarkably robust data' - supports both that it wasn't ideal design but was still scientifically sound
- Perfectly matches the researcher's argument about strategic adaptation to constraints
'Rodriguez's study received the prestigious Environmental Research Award from the International Ecology Society, recognizing its significant contribution to urban biodiversity research.'
✗ Incorrect
- This describes Rodriguez receiving a prestigious award for her contribution
- While this might support that her conclusions were scientifically sound, it says nothing about methodology being constrained or adapted
- Doesn't address the specific argument about practical constraints vs. ideal design
'The eighteen-month timeframe of Rodriguez's research allowed her team to observe seasonal variations in bee populations and document previously unknown behavioral adaptations to city environments.'
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on the benefits of the eighteen-month timeframe for observing variations
- Presents the timeframe as advantageous rather than as a constraint or adaptation
- Doesn't support the argument that methodology was shaped by practical limitations
'Rodriguez has described her work as an effort to understand how urbanization affects native bee species and to identify conservation strategies that cities can implement to support pollinator health.'
✗ Incorrect
- This is Rodriguez describing her own goals and intentions for the research
- Doesn't mention any constraints, adaptations, or methodological limitations
- Simply states the purpose of her work without addressing the methodology debate