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Expression of IdeasHardPresenting a finding with two caveats

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: - A study of 300 offices compared those with plants to those without. - Workers in offices with plants rated their own productivity 15% higher. - Productivity was self-rated, not measured. - Offices that had bought plants had also often been renovated recently.

The student wants to present the study's finding while acknowledging its limitations. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. Workers in offices with plants rated their productivity 15% higher, though the ratings were self-reported and those offices had often been recently renovated, which may explain the difference.Correct
  2. B. The study compared 300 offices with and without plants.
  3. C. Plants raise office productivity by 15%.
  4. D. Recent renovation raises office productivity by 15%.

Answer: A. Workers in offices with plants rated their productivity 15% higher, though the ratings were self-reported and those offices had often been recently renovated, which may explain the difference.

The finding, plus both caveats from the notes — choice A.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The study compared 300 offices with and without plants.
Setup only; no finding or caveat.
C. Plants raise office productivity by 15%.
The finding as a cause, with no caveats.
D. Recent renovation raises office productivity by 15%.
The notes don't attribute the 15% to renovation; they flag it as a possible confound.

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