An education researcher reports that students using a new digital learning platform showed 20% higher test scores compared to the...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
An education researcher reports that students using a new digital learning platform showed 20% higher test scores compared to the previous semester. She concludes that the platform's interactive features directly improve academic performance, citing the substantial score increases observed across multiple subject areas.
Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the underlined claim?
The digital platform requires students to spend significantly more time on homework assignments than traditional methods.
The study did not include a comparison group of students who continued using traditional learning methods during the same time period.
Previous research has shown that digital learning platforms can be effective tools for student engagement and motivation.
Students reported higher levels of satisfaction and interest when using the digital platform compared to traditional materials.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "An education researcher reports that students using a new digital learning platform showed 20% higher test scores compared to the previous semester." |
|
| "She concludes that the platform's interactive features directly improve academic performance, citing the substantial score increases observed across multiple subject areas." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: A researcher claims that a digital learning platform's interactive features directly cause improved academic performance based on observed test score increases.
Argument Flow: The passage presents empirical data showing improved test scores when students used a digital platform, then moves to the researcher's interpretation that the platform's interactive features directly caused this improvement across multiple subjects.
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 researcher made a causal claim: interactive features directly cause better performance
- To weaken this, we need evidence that shows the study design was flawed and can't support causal claims or suggests alternative explanations for the score improvement
- The biggest weakness would be a fundamental methodological problem that makes it impossible to conclude the platform caused the improvement
- Without proper controls, factors like time effects, different student populations, or curriculum changes could explain the results
The digital platform requires students to spend significantly more time on homework assignments than traditional methods.
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests students spent more time on homework with the platform
- This doesn't weaken the causal claim - if anything, it could support it by showing the platform increased student engagement
The study did not include a comparison group of students who continued using traditional learning methods during the same time period.
✓ Correct
- Points out the study lacked a control group of students using traditional methods during the same period
- This is a fundamental methodological flaw - without a comparison group, we can't know if improvements came from the platform or other factors
- Directly undermines the causal claim
Previous research has shown that digital learning platforms can be effective tools for student engagement and motivation.
✗ Incorrect
- States that previous research supports digital platform effectiveness
- This would actually strengthen the researcher's claim, not weaken it
Students reported higher levels of satisfaction and interest when using the digital platform compared to traditional materials.
✗ Incorrect
- Reports higher student satisfaction with the digital platform
- This supports rather than weakens the claim about the platform's benefits