Dr. Martinez's longitudinal study of coastal erosion patterns has faced numerous methodological challenges over its five-year span. Given that the...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Dr. Martinez's longitudinal study of coastal erosion patterns has faced numerous methodological challenges over its five-year span. Given that the research approach has been so ______, with investigators frequently shifting focus between different measurement techniques, colleagues question whether the team will generate reliable conclusions.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
systematic
erratic
groundbreaking
conclusive
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Martinez's longitudinal study of coastal erosion patterns has faced numerous methodological challenges over its five-year span." |
|
| "Given that the research approach has been so ______," |
|
| "with investigators frequently shifting focus between different measurement techniques," |
|
| "colleagues question whether the team will generate reliable conclusions." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Martinez's study faces reliability concerns due to inconsistent methodological approaches.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that a long-term study has had methodological problems, then describes how the research approach has been characterized by frequent changes in measurement techniques, leading colleagues to doubt whether reliable conclusions can be drawn.
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 missing word needs to describe the research approach in a way that explains why investigators keep shifting focus between different measurement techniques
- Since this shifting is presented as a problem that makes colleagues question reliability, we need a word that suggests inconsistency, unpredictability, or lack of steady direction
systematic
systematic
✗ Incorrect
- Systematic means methodical and organized, which directly contradicts the evidence of frequently shifting focus between different measurement techniques
erratic
erratic
✓ Correct
- Erratic means unpredictable and inconsistent, which perfectly matches the evidence of investigators frequently shifting focus and logically explains why colleagues would question reliability
groundbreaking
groundbreaking
✗ Incorrect
- Groundbreaking means innovative, which is positive and does not explain why frequent methodology changes would make colleagues question reliability
conclusive
conclusive
✗ Incorrect
- Conclusive means definitive, which does not relate to the methodology problems described and actually contradicts the colleagues' questioning