LSAT Explanation PT 39, S2, Q15: More and more academic institutions are

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage argues that using citation analysis (CA) to measure the quality of scientific research works against the goal of encouraging good research. The reasoning is that scientists seeking to maximize citation counts will avoid multiyear projects and instead focus on short-term projects in faddish areas. Here, we have a premise and a conclusion:

Premise: Scientists seeking to maximize citation counts will avoid multiyear projects in favor of short-term projects in faddish areas.

Conclusion: Use of citation analysis actually works against the goal of encouraging good research.

To make this argument more understandable, let's consider a simple example. Imagine a school that evaluates students' performance based on the number of books they read. In order to maximize their scores, students would likely choose to read shorter books to increase the number of books they can finish. This evaluation method may discourage students from reading longer, more complex books that could potentially provide more valuable knowledge and insights.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Do multiyear projects generally produce higher-quality research than short-term projects?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for the question, which asks us to strengthen the argument. The correct answer is A.

A) This answer choice strengthens the argument by pointing out that scientific research is not referred to in journals until the research is completed. This implies that multiyear projects will not receive any citations during the time they are being conducted, making it less attractive for scientists who want to maximize their citation counts. Consequently, they would be more likely to focus on short-term projects, which supports the conclusion that using CA works against the goal of encouraging good research.

B) This answer choice states that faddish areas of science are not necessarily lacking in significance. While this information is relevant to the topic, it does not directly strengthen the argument. The argument is concerned with the impact of CA on the choice between multiyear and short-term projects, not the quality of faddish areas of science.

C) The fact that research initially criticized in scientific journals sometimes turns out to be groundbreaking work does not directly support the argument. It may provide an alternative reason to question the effectiveness of CA, but it does not specifically address the issue of multiyear projects versus short-term projects.

D) This answer choice suggests that scientists are sometimes hostile to interim assessments of ongoing research because such assessments might threaten continuity of funding. However, this information does not directly strengthen the argument about the impact of CA on the choice between multiyear and short-term projects.

E) The fact that scientists often cite their colleagues' work when they think it is unfairly neglected by the scientific establishment does not strengthen the argument. While it may provide additional information about the factors influencing citation counts, it does not address the main issue of the impact of CA on the choice between multiyear and short-term projects.

In conclusion, answer choice A provides the strongest support for the argument by clarifying that research is not referred to in journals until it is completed, which implies that multiyear projects will not receive any citations during the time they are being conducted. This makes short-term projects more attractive for scientists seeking to maximize their citation counts, supporting the conclusion that using CA works against the goal of encouraging good research.