The following text is adapted from a research proposal submitted by Dr. Sarah Chen to her university's ethics board in...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is adapted from a research proposal submitted by Dr. Sarah Chen to her university's ethics board in 2023. Chen is seeking approval for a behavioral study involving undergraduate students.
The proposed research involves only voluntary participation from students already enrolled in introductory psychology courses, with full informed consent procedures and complete anonymity protections. The study requires no deception, poses no psychological or physical risks, and involves simple observational tasks that mirror everyday cognitive activities. All data collection will occur during regularly scheduled class periods with instructor permission, ensuring minimal disruption to academic schedules and no additional burden on participants beyond normal coursework expectations.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To demonstrate that Chen's research will provide significant benefits to the field of psychology
To provide Chen's assurance that the study will be ethical and minimally disruptive to students
To explain why Chen's original research design needed to be modified for the ethics review
To argue that Chen believes undergraduate students are ideal participants for behavioral research
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'The proposed research involves only voluntary participation from students already enrolled in introductory psychology courses, with full informed consent procedures and complete anonymity protections.' |
|
| 'The study requires no deception, poses no psychological or physical risks, and involves simple observational tasks that mirror everyday cognitive activities.' |
|
| 'All data collection will occur during regularly scheduled class periods with instructor permission, ensuring minimal disruption to academic schedules and no additional burden on participants beyond normal coursework expectations.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Chen is assuring the ethics board that her proposed research meets all ethical standards and will minimally disrupt students.
Argument Flow: Chen systematically addresses the key concerns an ethics board would have - first establishing that proper ethical protections are in place, then assuring that the study poses no risks and uses natural tasks, and finally explaining that the practical implementation won't burden students academically.
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
- Chen is writing to an ethics board about her research proposal
- Throughout the text, she's systematically addressing the concerns that ethics boards typically have - ethical protections, safety, and practical impact on participants
- She's not trying to sell the research or explain complex methodology; she's focused on reassuring the board that her study is responsible and won't harm or burden students
- The right answer should capture that Chen's main goal is to provide reassurance about the ethical nature and minimal impact of her proposed study
To demonstrate that Chen's research will provide significant benefits to the field of psychology
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Chen is demonstrating significant benefits to psychology
- The text never mentions benefits or contributions to the field
- Chen focuses entirely on safety and ethics, not research value
To provide Chen's assurance that the study will be ethical and minimally disruptive to students
✓ Correct
- States Chen is providing assurance about ethics and minimal disruption
- Perfectly matches our analysis - Chen addresses ethical protections throughout
- Also addresses minimal disruption, which Chen emphasizes in the final sentence
- This captures exactly what Chen is trying to accomplish with this text
To explain why Chen's original research design needed to be modified for the ethics review
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests Chen is explaining modifications to her original design
- The text presents the research as is, with no mention of changes or modifications
To argue that Chen believes undergraduate students are ideal participants for behavioral research
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Chen is arguing undergraduates are ideal participants
- While Chen mentions using undergraduates, she doesn't argue they're ideal
- Her focus is on ethical compliance, not participant selection rationale