While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Quantitative research and qualitative research are two methodologies used in...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Quantitative research and qualitative research are two methodologies used in scientific studies.
- Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses.
- Such research investigating sleep patterns might use surveys measuring hours of sleep across large populations to identify trends.
- Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews.
- Such research on workplace satisfaction might conduct in-depth interviews with employees to understand their motivations and concerns.
The student wants to explain qualitative research to an audience unfamiliar with research methodologies. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Qualitative research is a methodology that focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews.
A study on workplace satisfaction might conduct in-depth interviews with employees to understand their motivations and concerns.
Quantitative research differs from qualitative research in that quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis.
Such research investigating sleep patterns might use surveys measuring hours of sleep across large populations to identify trends.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Quantitative research and qualitative research are two methodologies used in scientific studies." |
|
| "Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses." |
|
| "Such research investigating sleep patterns might use surveys measuring hours of sleep across large populations to identify trends." |
|
| "Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews." |
|
| "Such research on workplace satisfaction might conduct in-depth interviews with employees to understand their motivations and concerns." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: There are two distinct research methodologies - quantitative (focused on numerical data and statistics) and qualitative (focused on understanding human experiences through observation and interviews).
Argument Flow: The notes begin by establishing that two research methodologies exist, then systematically define each one and provide a concrete example to illustrate how each methodology works in practice.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to choose the option that most effectively explains qualitative research to an audience unfamiliar with research methodologies.
What type of answer do we need? An explanation that would help someone who doesn't know about research methods understand what qualitative research is.
Any limiting keywords? "Most effectively" suggests we need the clearest, most complete explanation, and "unfamiliar with research methodologies" tells us the audience needs foundational understanding.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Since we're explaining qualitative research to people who don't know about research methods, the right answer should:
- Clearly define what qualitative research is (not just give an example)
- Use the key information from the notes about qualitative research
- Be complete enough that someone unfamiliar with research could understand the concept
- The notes tell us qualitative research "focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews." This is the core definition that would help an unfamiliar audience understand the concept.
Qualitative research is a methodology that focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews.
✓ Correct
- Correct - Provides a complete definition of qualitative research using exact language from the notes
- Perfect for an unfamiliar audience because it explains what qualitative research IS, not just what it does
- Uses the key descriptive elements: "focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and social phenomena through observation and interviews"
A study on workplace satisfaction might conduct in-depth interviews with employees to understand their motivations and concerns.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Only gives a specific example of qualitative research (workplace satisfaction study)
- Doesn't actually define what qualitative research is
- An unfamiliar audience would learn about one study but wouldn't understand the broader concept
Quantitative research differs from qualitative research in that quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Focuses on quantitative research, not qualitative research
- Explains the difference between the two but doesn't define qualitative research itself
- Trap: Students might think contrasting the two methods explains qualitative research, but the question specifically asks to explain qualitative research
Such research investigating sleep patterns might use surveys measuring hours of sleep across large populations to identify trends.
✗ Incorrect
- Incorrect - Describes quantitative research (surveys measuring numerical data across populations)
- Completely misses the target of explaining qualitative research
- Uses the wrong example from the notes