#14 - Commentator: In academic scholarship, sources are

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Strengthen - PR. The correct answer choice is (C).

The stimulus begins by drawing a comparison between academic scholarship and open-source software, and then contrasts open-source with commercial software. The author then claims that the comparison shows that open-source software is more compatible with the values found in academic scholarship, and since universities are all about scholarship, he concludes that universities should use only open-source software.

The stem asks us to find a principle that to which the stimulus conforms. That means the correct answer will be a rule of some sort that the argument followed. So, we prephrase by asking ourselves what rule the author followed to get from their premises (about matching the values in two different systems) to their conclusion (about selecting the thing that is the better match). A good prephrase here would be "an organization should only use things that are the closest match to the organization's values."

Answer choice (A): The argument was not based on what is advanced or can achieve goals, so this is not the rule that the author followed.

Answer choice (B): Although a fee for commercial software was mentioned, the argument was not based on the expense of either type of software, nor was there any caveat that the software chosen must be adequate. It was just "only use the stuff that matches your values."

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. A perfect match for the prephrase, this answer nicely bridges the gap between the premises and the conclusion. If it is true that open-source matches the values of universities, and commercial software does not, and if a university should choose the best match, then it follows that universities should always choose open-source software over commercial software. This is the rule the author followed.

Answer choice (D): Efficiency is a red herring in this answer, and the answer never gets around to adding anything to the claim that universities should choose open-source software.

Answer choice (E): Since the stimulus never said, or even implied, that commercial software would "block" a university from achieving its goals, this answer has nothing to do with the argument and does nothing to strengthen its conclusion. The author did not appear to apply this rule.

[BoomBoom]

Hello,

I was hoping someone could explain why C is the best answer here. I chose D.

Thanks,

Chris

[Nikki Siclunov]

Chris,

Thanks for your question. Generally speaking, we need a bit more input from you before we delve into a discussion of a particular LR question. Ultimately, it won't be us who are taking the test; it's you! Our goal is to help you cultivate the analytical ability to approach these questions on your own, which is why you need to help us help you first.

Here's what I'd like you to do:

• 1. Describe your approach to the stimulus. Did you understand the argument, if any, from a structural standpoint? What is the conclusion, and what evidence is the author using in support of that conclusion?
  
  2. Did you prephrase an answer to the question in the stem? If so, what was your prephrase?
  
  3. What exactly made the two answer choices you have listed particularly attractive? Did you use any question type-specific test (e.g. Assumption Negation Technique) to differentiate between them?

Thanks,

[BoomBoom]

Hello,

[REDACTED]

2. Prephrase: In certain field, things are clear and public to promote sharing and growth in that field. One tool allows for public access and sharing, while another tool is kept secret and hinders access. Thus the tool that better matches the ideals of the certain field should be used.

3. My prephase was something along those lines when i approached this problem so going into the answers I left A, C, D as contenders. I then eliminated A because of the "most advanced" part. Then I was left with C and D which I thought they were very similar and I wasn't sure what wordage separated these 2 answers and made one superior to the other so I went with D thinking either one could be right.

If you could point out whether I got the conclusions mixed up or where I went wrong and how to attack this question and differentiate between such similar answer choices that'd be great!

Thanks,

Chris

[Nikki Siclunov]

Chris,

I had to redact your analysis of the argument, as it wasn't as much of an analysis as it was a cut-and-paste of the original stimulus.

The first two-thirds of the stimulus is basically crap that is meant to distract and confuse you. It merely serves to show that open-source software better matches the values of academic scholarship. Fine - I'm sold on that, and it's merely a subsidiary conclusion (as you pointed out yourself). The main conclusion, however, is that universities should use only open-source software. Why? Because academic scholarship is central to their mission. Essentially, the argument boils down to this:

Premise/Sub Conclusion: Open-source software better matches the values of academic scholarship.
Premise: Academic scholarship is central to universities' mission.
Conclusion: Universities should only use open-source software

We are asked to identify a principle to which this line of reasoning conforms. In general, principles are broad, conditional statements that - in this particular case - must strengthen the connection between the premises and the conclusion. Since the conclusion is essentially a recommendation, the correct answer choice will provide a rationale for adopting that recommendation. How about this:
universities should only use tools that reflect the values embodied in the activities (i.e. academic scholarship) central to their mission. If that's true, then the recommendation makes sense.

This prephrase matches answer choice (C). Answer choice (D), by contrast, talks about what form of software technology is most efficient for universities to use. Efficiency had nothing to do with this argument, and as such fails to provide a rationale for adopting the proposed recommendation.

Hope this helps!