While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Elena Rodriguez conducted a 2019 study on citizen science...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Elena Rodriguez conducted a 2019 study on citizen science methodologies.
- Citizen science involves engaging non-professional volunteers in authentic scientific research projects.
- Rather than traditional lab-based research, citizen science relies on distributed data collection by community members.
- In Rodriguez's study, volunteers used smartphone apps to photograph and categorize local bird species for migration tracking.
- Another project had participants collect water samples from neighborhood streams to monitor pollution levels.
- Rodriguez found that citizen science approaches can generate large-scale datasets while building scientific literacy in communities.
The student wants to describe Rodriguez's research approach and provide a specific case from her work. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Rodriguez's 2019 study examined citizen science, which relies on distributed data collection by community members rather than traditional lab-based research.
Citizen science involves engaging non-professional volunteers in authentic research projects; Rodriguez's study, for instance, included volunteers who used smartphone apps to photograph and categorize local bird species for migration tracking.
Rodriguez found that citizen science approaches can generate large-scale datasets while building scientific literacy in communities.
While both projects involved community participation, the bird migration study used smartphone apps whereas the water monitoring project required physical sample collection.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Elena Rodriguez conducted a 2019 study on citizen science methodologies." |
|
| "Citizen science involves engaging non-professional volunteers in authentic scientific research projects." |
|
| "Rather than traditional lab-based research, citizen science relies on distributed data collection by community members." |
|
| "In Rodriguez's study, volunteers used smartphone apps to photograph and categorize local bird species for migration tracking." |
|
| "Another project had participants collect water samples from neighborhood streams to monitor pollution levels." |
|
| "Rodriguez found that citizen science approaches can generate large-scale datasets while building scientific literacy in communities." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Rodriguez's 2019 study examined citizen science methodologies, which engage non-professional volunteers in authentic research projects through distributed data collection rather than traditional lab work.
Argument Flow: The notes begin by introducing Rodriguez and her research focus, then define citizen science and explain how it differs from traditional research methods. Two concrete examples illustrate how citizen science works in practice—bird migration tracking and water pollution monitoring. Finally, the notes present Rodriguez's key findings about the dual benefits of this approach.
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 correct choice needs to accomplish both parts of the student's goal
- First, it should explain what Rodriguez's research approach actually is—citizen science methodology that involves non-professional volunteers in real research projects
- Second, it must provide a specific, concrete example from Rodriguez's actual work, such as the bird migration tracking project or the water pollution monitoring project
Rodriguez's 2019 study examined citizen science, which relies on distributed data collection by community members rather than traditional lab-based research.
- Accurately describes Rodriguez's research approach but fails to provide any specific case or example from her work
- Only accomplishes half of the student's stated goal
Citizen science involves engaging non-professional volunteers in authentic research projects; Rodriguez's study, for instance, included volunteers who used smartphone apps to photograph and categorize local bird species for migration tracking.
- Describes the research approach clearly and provides a specific case from Rodriguez's work (volunteers using smartphone apps for bird species tracking)
- Accomplishes both parts of the student's goal effectively
Rodriguez found that citizen science approaches can generate large-scale datasets while building scientific literacy in communities.
- Focuses on Rodriguez's findings and conclusions rather than her research approach
- Provides no specific case or example from her work
While both projects involved community participation, the bird migration study used smartphone apps whereas the water monitoring project required physical sample collection.
- Compares two specific projects but doesn't explain what Rodriguez's research approach actually is
- Fails to describe the underlying methodology