Following established protocols for large-scale clinical studies, Dr. Chen's research team began their systematic investigation according to standard ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Following established protocols for large-scale clinical studies, Dr. Chen's research team began their systematic investigation according to standard medical research guidelines. As required by institutional standards, the interdisciplinary team _______ rigorous data collection procedures, including epidemiological surveys, statistical analyses, and clinical assessments designed to ensure research validity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
consults
conducts
influences
supervises
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Following established protocols for large-scale clinical studies, Dr. Chen's research team began their systematic investigation according to standard medical research guidelines.' |
|
| '[MISSING WORD]' |
|
| 'rigorous data collection procedures, including epidemiological surveys, statistical analyses, and clinical assessments designed to ensure research validity.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Dr. Chen's research team follows established medical research protocols in their systematic investigation.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that the research team is operating within standard medical research guidelines, then describes what they do with specific data collection procedures that are designed to ensure the research meets validity standards.
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 research team is following established protocols and guidelines, so they need to actively perform or carry out the rigorous data collection procedures
- The procedures include specific activities like surveys, analyses, and assessments that need to be executed
- The missing word should indicate that the team is actively performing these procedures as part of their systematic investigation
consults
- 'Consults' means to seek advice or information from something
- The team isn't seeking advice from the procedures—they're performing them
conducts
- 'Conducts' means to carry out or perform activities
- This perfectly matches what the team does—they actively perform the surveys, analyses, and assessments
- Fits the context of systematic investigation and following established protocols
influences
- 'Influences' means to affect or change something
- The team isn't changing the procedures—they're using them as designed
supervises
- 'Supervises' means to oversee others doing the work
- The passage focuses on what the team itself does, not what they oversee others doing