An environmental science professor is analyzing the research methods of Dr. Maria Santos, who studies water quality issues in rural...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
An environmental science professor is analyzing the research methods of Dr. Maria Santos, who studies water quality issues in rural communities. The professor argues that Santos's approach to data collection demonstrates a commitment to incorporating local knowledge and community perspectives into her scientific investigations.
Which choice, if true, would most directly support the professor's argument?
Santos's water quality measurements consistently use standardized EPA protocols and certified laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Santos conducts extensive interviews with community members about historical water sources and collaborates with local residents to identify sampling locations they consider most representative of their concerns.
The data Santos collects focuses primarily on chemical indicators such as pH levels, dissolved oxygen content, and bacterial contamination rates.
Santos's research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has received recognition from the American Water Resources Association.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "An environmental science professor is analyzing the research methods of Dr. Maria Santos, who studies water quality issues in rural communities." |
|
| "The professor argues that Santos's approach to data collection demonstrates a commitment to incorporating local knowledge and community perspectives into her scientific investigations." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A professor argues that Dr. Santos's data collection methods show commitment to including local knowledge and community perspectives in her scientific research.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that a professor is evaluating Santos's research approach, then presents the professor's specific argument that Santos integrates local community knowledge into her scientific work.
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
- Let's first think about what the right answer should tell us:
- It should show Santos actually working with or gathering information from local community members
- It should demonstrate Santos valuing community knowledge alongside scientific methods
- It should connect directly to data collection (since that's what the professor specifically mentioned)
Santos's water quality measurements consistently use standardized EPA protocols and certified laboratory equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on standardized EPA protocols and certified equipment. While this shows scientific rigor, it doesn't demonstrate incorporating local knowledge or community perspectives.
Santos conducts extensive interviews with community members about historical water sources and collaborates with local residents to identify sampling locations they consider most representative of their concerns.
✓ Correct
- Shows Santos conducting extensive interviews with community members about water sources and collaborating with local residents to choose sampling locations based on community concerns. This directly matches incorporating local knowledge and community perspectives.
The data Santos collects focuses primarily on chemical indicators such as pH levels, dissolved oxygen content, and bacterial contamination rates.
✗ Incorrect
- Describes technical measurements (pH, oxygen, bacteria). These are standard scientific indicators, not community-based knowledge.
Santos's research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has received recognition from the American Water Resources Association.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on peer review publication and professional recognition. While this shows research quality, it doesn't demonstrate community involvement.