Although peer reviewers typically find it challenging to detect nuanced methodological errors in sophisticated research, obvious infractions are seldo...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Although peer reviewers typically find it challenging to detect nuanced methodological errors in sophisticated research, obvious infractions are seldom overlooked. In a recent evaluation of Dr. Martinez's environmental studies, nevertheless, the review committee uncovered statistical analysis that demonstrated _______ falsified data from a debunked 2018 investigation—featuring remarkably similar analytical patterns—offering clear proof of academic fraud.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
resemblances to
enhancements of
deviations from
evaluations of
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Although peer reviewers typically find it challenging to detect nuanced methodological errors in sophisticated research, obvious infractions are seldom overlooked. |
|
| In a recent evaluation of Dr. Martinez's environmental studies, nevertheless, the review committee uncovered statistical analysis that demonstrated |
|
| [MISSING WORD/PHRASE] |
|
| falsified data from a debunked 2018 investigation—featuring remarkably similar analytical patterns—offering clear proof of academic fraud. |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A review committee discovered clear evidence of academic fraud when they found statistical analysis in Dr. Martinez's work that showed a specific relationship to previously falsified data.
Argument Flow: The passage starts by noting that while subtle research errors are hard to catch, obvious violations are not missed. It then presents a specific example where reviewers found statistical analysis that demonstrated some relationship to known falsified data, with the similar patterns serving as definitive proof of fraud.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The committee found statistical analysis that showed some relationship to falsified data from 2018
- The key clue comes right after the blank: 'featuring remarkably similar analytical patterns'
- This phrase suggests that whatever relationship exists, it involves similarity or likeness between Martinez's analysis and the falsified data
- The context also tells us this served as 'clear proof of academic fraud,' which means the relationship had to be one that would actually indicate wrongdoing
- So the right answer should indicate a relationship of similarity or likeness between Martinez's statistical analysis and the known falsified data from 2018
resemblances to
- Creates the logical relationship 'demonstrated resemblances to falsified data' which perfectly matches the follow-up phrase about 'remarkably similar analytical patterns' and makes sense as evidence of fraud
enhancements of
- 'Demonstrated enhancements of falsified data' does not make logical sense and does not connect to the 'similar patterns' evidence that follows
deviations from
- 'Demonstrated deviations from falsified data' would mean Martinez's work was different from the fake data, which contradicts the 'remarkably similar analytical patterns' that follow
evaluations of
- 'Demonstrated evaluations of falsified data' creates an awkward, unclear meaning and does not establish the similarity relationship that the context requires