Expression of IdeasVery hardSynthesis: a limitation shared by two studies
Expression of Ideas practice question
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Study A (2019) followed 200 adults; those who drank coffee after 4 pm fell asleep 25 minutes later on average.
- Study B (2022) followed 1,500 adults; it found no difference in time to fall asleep, but coffee after 4 pm reduced deep sleep by 15 percent.
- Both studies were observational: participants chose for themselves whether to drink coffee.
The student wants to point out a limitation that both studies share. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
- A. Because participants in both studies chose for themselves whether to drink coffee, neither study can show that coffee caused the differences it recorded.Correct
- B. Study A found that coffee after 4 pm delayed sleep by 25 minutes.
- C. Study B, with 1,500 adults, was much larger than Study A.
- D. The two studies disagreed about whether coffee delays sleep.
Answer: A. Because participants in both studies chose for themselves whether to drink coffee, neither study can show that coffee caused the differences it recorded.
Self-selection limits both.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Study A found that coffee after 4 pm delayed sleep by 25 minutes.
- A finding of one study, not a limitation.
- C. Study B, with 1,500 adults, was much larger than Study A.
- A difference, not a shared limitation.
- D. The two studies disagreed about whether coffee delays sleep.
- A disagreement, not a limitation.
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