While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• In a 2010 study, Clark and Tilman found that the presence of plant litter had a negative effect on seedling emergence.
• The study was conducted in a grassland setting in the United States.
• In a 2002 study, Stammel et al. found that the presence of plant litter had a negative effect on seedling emergence.
• The study was conducted in a grassland setting in Germany.
• Seedling emergence is when a seedling sprouts above ground and begins photosynthesis.
The student wants to make a generalization about research on plant litter. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Explanation
Answer: A) Studies have found that the presence of plant litter can have a negative effect on seedling emergence.
Goal: Make a generalization about research on plant litter.
Why? A generalization draws a broad conclusion from multiple sources. A uses "studies have found" to indicate this is a consistent research finding, not just one study's result.
Traps:
- B) Only one study (Clark and Tilman) → not generalization
- C) Names studies but no general claim
- D) About seedling emergence definition → not research generalization