While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Dr. Sarah Chen's laboratory at Stanford University studies climate change...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Dr. Sarah Chen's laboratory at Stanford University studies climate change adaptation in coastal ecosystems.
- Her research team employs long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments.
- Dr. Michael Rodriguez's laboratory at the University of Miami investigates similar climate adaptation questions.
- Rodriguez's team also uses long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments.
- Both labs publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals focusing on environmental science.
- The research from both institutions has contributed to updated coastal management policies.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity in the research approaches used by Chen and Rodriguez. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Both Chen's Stanford team and Rodriguez's Miami team employ long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments in their climate research.
Chen's laboratory studies coastal ecosystem adaptation, while Rodriguez's laboratory investigates similar climate adaptation questions at a different university.
Researchers at both Stanford and the University of Miami study climate change adaptation, but their specific research focus areas differ somewhat.
Climate adaptation research is conducted at universities across the country, including work by Chen and Rodriguez.
Looking at this Rhetorical Synthesis question, let me work through the solution systematically.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Dr. Sarah Chen's laboratory at Stanford University studies climate change adaptation in coastal ecosystems." |
|
| "Her research team employs long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments." |
|
| "Dr. Michael Rodriguez's laboratory at the University of Miami investigates similar climate adaptation questions." |
|
| "Rodriguez's team also uses long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments." |
|
| "Both labs publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals focusing on environmental science." |
|
| "The research from both institutions has contributed to updated coastal management policies." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Two research teams at different universities use identical methodological approaches to study climate adaptation and both contribute to policy development.
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
- From our analysis, the key similarity in research approaches is that both Chen and Rodriguez use "long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments."
- This is the exact methodological parallel mentioned in the notes.
Both Chen's Stanford team and Rodriguez's Miami team employ long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments in their climate research.
✓ Correct
- Directly states the methodological similarity: both teams "employ long-term field observations combined with controlled laboratory experiments"
Chen's laboratory studies coastal ecosystem adaptation, while Rodriguez's laboratory investigates similar climate adaptation questions at a different university.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on research topics rather than approaches, emphasizes different universities
Researchers at both Stanford and the University of Miami study climate change adaptation, but their specific research focus areas differ somewhat.
✗ Incorrect
- Emphasizes differences rather than similarity in approaches
Climate adaptation research is conducted at universities across the country, including work by Chen and Rodriguez.
✗ Incorrect
- Too general and vague, doesn't specify particular research approaches