Set 10: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about cognitive biases in scientific research. The student wants to explain how confirmation bias specifically undermines the scientific method. Notes: - Confirmation bias leads researchers to favor evidence supporting their hypotheses. - Disconfirming evidence may be unconsciously discounted or explained away. - This contradicts the falsification principle central to scientific method. - Peer review and replication are designed to counteract such biases.
Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish the student's goal?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal is HOW confirmation bias UNDERMINES scientific method. Favoring support, discounting disconfirmation, and contradicting falsification show undermining. The correct synthesis will use relevant details from the notes in a logical, purposeful way. Focus on what the question asks you to accomplish, then choose the answer that best achieves that goal using the provided information. Effective synthesis requires selecting and combining the most relevant information to achieve a specific purpose. Not all provided notes may be equally useful. Focus on what best accomplishes the stated goal while maintaining logical coherence.
Key Evidence:
• "how confirmation bias specifically undermines the scientific method"
• "favor evidence supporting their hypotheses"
• "Disconfirming evidence may be...discounted"
• "contradicts the falsification principle"
Why others are wrong: B (Discusses peer review safeguard but not the undermining mechanism.), A (Not in notes; idealistic statement, not bias analysis.), C (Too general; doesn't address scientific method specifically.).
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