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- Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:00 am
#35287
Complete Question Explanation
Must Be True—PR. The correct answer choice is (E)
The president specifies the conditions under which research institutions should promote theoretical research. Like most principles, this one is conditional in nature (“institutions have an obligation … if”). Admittedly, the decision to convey that information in a single sentence makes it somewhat verbose and difficult to follow, which is why the best approach would be to break down the argument as follows:
Because the answer to this Must Be True—Principle question must follow from the application of the principle, the best way to approach the answers is to examine their conclusions first: the correct answer choice must contain a decision to promote (not deny) theoretical research, to determine whether the evidence provided satisfies both conditions sufficient to establish that decision.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the university denied the grant application. As explained earlier, even if the research in question does not meet a sufficient condition (i.e. the solution to the mathematical puzzle has no practical applications), that does not allow us to conclude that the necessary condition should not occur either (i.e. the application should be denied). This error is the essence of the Mistaken Negation argument form.
Answer choice (B): The theoretical nature of the research project is not by itself sufficient to justify funding. According to the principle in the stimulus, the sufficient conditions for funding include the promise of an insight into a practical problem that affects our quality of life. It is unclear how the determining the magnitude of distant planets would offer any practical insight.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is incorrect, because the position funded involves no research in a field of theoretical investigation: its objective is clearly administrative.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice should be eliminated for the same reason as answer choice (A). The principle in the stimulus can only be used to affirm the decision to fund a proposal, because the conditions under which an obligation is said to exist are sufficient, not necessary, for that obligation to exist.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. An investigation into the mathematical properties of folder structures is a theoretical one, while understanding the structure of proteins that cause disease would yield an insight into the causes of a practical problem. This research clearly satisfies both sufficient conditions of principle outlined in the stimulus, thereby justifying the institute’s decision to fund the investigation.
Must Be True—PR. The correct answer choice is (E)
The president specifies the conditions under which research institutions should promote theoretical research. Like most principles, this one is conditional in nature (“institutions have an obligation … if”). Admittedly, the decision to convey that information in a single sentence makes it somewhat verbose and difficult to follow, which is why the best approach would be to break down the argument as follows:
- Theoretical
+ 
Obligation to promote research
Promise insight into cause of problems
Because the answer to this Must Be True—Principle question must follow from the application of the principle, the best way to approach the answers is to examine their conclusions first: the correct answer choice must contain a decision to promote (not deny) theoretical research, to determine whether the evidence provided satisfies both conditions sufficient to establish that decision.
Answer choice (A): This answer choice is incorrect, because the university denied the grant application. As explained earlier, even if the research in question does not meet a sufficient condition (i.e. the solution to the mathematical puzzle has no practical applications), that does not allow us to conclude that the necessary condition should not occur either (i.e. the application should be denied). This error is the essence of the Mistaken Negation argument form.
Answer choice (B): The theoretical nature of the research project is not by itself sufficient to justify funding. According to the principle in the stimulus, the sufficient conditions for funding include the promise of an insight into a practical problem that affects our quality of life. It is unclear how the determining the magnitude of distant planets would offer any practical insight.
Answer choice (C): This answer choice is incorrect, because the position funded involves no research in a field of theoretical investigation: its objective is clearly administrative.
Answer choice (D): This answer choice should be eliminated for the same reason as answer choice (A). The principle in the stimulus can only be used to affirm the decision to fund a proposal, because the conditions under which an obligation is said to exist are sufficient, not necessary, for that obligation to exist.
Answer choice (E): This is the correct answer choice. An investigation into the mathematical properties of folder structures is a theoretical one, while understanding the structure of proteins that cause disease would yield an insight into the causes of a practical problem. This research clearly satisfies both sufficient conditions of principle outlined in the stimulus, thereby justifying the institute’s decision to fund the investigation.
