Recent Clinical Trial ResultsClinical TrialResearch Cost (in US dollars)Participants EnrolledHypertension Study 2022$4.2 million890 participantsCardio...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Recent Clinical Trial Results
| Clinical Trial | Research Cost (in US dollars) | Participants Enrolled |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension Study 2022 | $4.2 million | 890 participants |
| Cardiovascular Trial 2023 | $8.5 million | 445 participants |
| Diabetes Research 2023 | $6.1 million | 672 participants |
| Arthritis Study 2024 | $3.8 million | 758 participants |
The pharmaceutical industry has faced increasing scrutiny over research efficiency in recent years. Several high-profile studies have demonstrated concerning patterns in resource allocation versus participant recruitment outcomes. Among the most notable cases was the 2023 cardiovascular medication trial, which consumed substantial funding of $8.5 million while achieving enrollment of just ________
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
890 participants
445 participants
672 participants
758 participants
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Recent Clinical Trial Results [TABLE DATA]' |
|
| 'The pharmaceutical industry has faced increasing scrutiny over research efficiency in recent years.' |
|
| 'Several high-profile studies have demonstrated concerning patterns in resource allocation versus participant recruitment outcomes.' |
|
| 'Among the most notable cases was the 2023 cardiovascular medication trial, which consumed substantial funding of $8.5 million while achieving enrollment of just ______' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The pharmaceutical industry faces criticism for research inefficiency, exemplified by studies with high costs but low participant enrollment.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes context about industry scrutiny, explains the specific efficiency concerns, then provides a concrete example of a costly study with poor recruitment—requiring table data to complete the illustration.
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
- We need to find the 2023 cardiovascular trial in the table that cost $8.5 million, then identify how many participants it enrolled
- The passage specifically states this trial consumed substantial funding of $8.5 million, so we need to find the trial that cost exactly $8.5 million and see how many participants it enrolled
890 participants
✗ Incorrect
- This number comes from the Hypertension Study 2022, not the cardiovascular trial
- The hypertension study cost \(\$4.2\) million, not \(\$8.5\) million
- Wrong study entirely
445 participants
✓ Correct
- This matches the Cardiovascular Trial 2023 from the table
- The table shows this trial cost exactly \(\$8.5\) million as mentioned in the passage
- Creates the intended contrast between high cost (\(\$8.5\)M) and relatively low enrollment (445 participants)
672 participants
✗ Incorrect
- This number belongs to the Diabetes Research 2023
- The diabetes study cost \(\$6.1\) million, not \(\$8.5\) million
- Students might be tempted by the 2023 year match but miss that it's the wrong type of study
758 participants
✗ Incorrect
- This comes from the Arthritis Study 2024
- This study cost \(\$3.8\) million and occurred in 2024, not 2023
- Doesn't match either the cost or the year mentioned in the passage