During market research conducted between 2018-2022, consumer behavior analysts tracked online shopping patterns across different demographic groups. H...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
During market research conducted between 2018-2022, consumer behavior analysts tracked online shopping patterns across different demographic groups. However, the research team acknowledges that their data collection faced several obstacles: many consumers use privacy settings that block tracking, some age groups are underrepresented in digital platforms, and international customers were excluded from most surveys. The documented patterns therefore provide an incomplete picture of actual consumer behavior:
| Age Group | Survey Responses | Tracked Online Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | 1,847 | 12,439 |
| 26-40 | 2,156 | 18,722 |
| 41-55 | 892 | 7,331 |
| 56+ | 567 | 3,998 |
Given these data collection limitations, the research findings should be interpreted cautiously since significant gaps in coverage mean that ____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
the 18-25 age group provided the most comprehensive response data.
behavioral patterns for age groups with limited representation might differ substantially from what the data suggests.
survey responses exceeded online session tracking for the 26-40 demographic.
consumers aged 56+ demonstrated the lowest level of digital engagement.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "During market research conducted between 2018-2022, consumer behavior analysts tracked online shopping patterns across different demographic groups." |
|
| "However, the research team acknowledges that their data collection faced several obstacles:" |
|
| "many consumers use privacy settings that block tracking, some age groups are underrepresented in digital platforms, and international customers were excluded from most surveys." |
|
| "The documented patterns therefore provide an incomplete picture of actual consumer behavior:" |
|
| [TABLE DATA] |
|
Main Point: Research on consumer shopping behavior has significant data gaps that require cautious interpretation of findings.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to complete the sentence explaining why data collection gaps require cautious interpretation.
What type of answer do we need? A logical completion that connects the data limitations to the need for caution, using information from the table.
Any limiting keywords? "most effectively uses data from the table" - so our answer must reference the specific numbers provided.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should explain why these uneven numbers in the table justify the need for cautious interpretation
- The table shows clear evidence of gaps - particularly that older age groups (41-55 and 56+) have much smaller representation than younger groups
- The correct completion should connect the underrepresentation visible in the table to why we can't trust the overall conclusions
the 18-25 age group provided the most comprehensive response data.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the 18-25 group provided "most comprehensive" data.
- While true that this group had high numbers, this doesn't explain why we need caution
behavioral patterns for age groups with limited representation might differ substantially from what the data suggests.
✓ Correct
- Directly addresses why underrepresentation (shown in table) creates problems.
- The table clearly shows 41-55 and 56+ groups have much lower numbers
- Explains the logical connection: limited representation = potentially different actual behavior
survey responses exceeded online session tracking for the 26-40 demographic.
✗ Incorrect
- Factually wrong - table shows 26-40 had 2,156 responses vs 18,722 sessions.
- Sessions actually exceeded responses, not the other way around
consumers aged 56+ demonstrated the lowest level of digital engagement.
✗ Incorrect
- While true that 56+ had the lowest numbers, this just states a fact.
- Doesn't complete the logical argument about why gaps require caution