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A science writer claims that a team of economists studying a regional shift in consumer sp…

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A science writer claims that a team of economists studying a regional shift in consumer spending have overstated the significance of their work. The writer notes that survey data suggest a preference for locally produced goods, but argues this alone does not justify the researchers' broader claims. Which finding, if true, would most directly undermine the science writer's claim?
AA large-scale replication study, conducted independently, produced results consistent with the original finding.
BA different research team studying an unrelated topic reached a similar conclusion by coincidence.
CThe original researchers later admitted their sample size was smaller than ideal.
DPublic interest in the topic increased significantly after the finding was published.
EThe original researchers presented their findings at several conferences.
FA different research team studying an unrelated topic reached a different conclusion by coincidence.
SAT Reading and Writing

Discussion 1 post

vivjain604 Oct 30, 2026 9:28pm
Step 1: Understand the writer's argument The writer presents two ideas: 1. The researchers' finding: Survey data suggests consumers prefer locally produced goods. 2. The writer's criticism: This finding alone does not justify the researchers' broader claims about a regional shift in consumer spending. The question asks: Which finding would most directly undermine the writer's claim? In other words, we need evidence suggesting that the original researchers' work is actually more reliable and significant than the writer suggests. A. A large-scale replication study, conducted independently, produced results consistent with the original finding. - This is strong evidence, an independent study confirms the original finding, it makes the original research more credible and suggests the finding is reproducible. Strong contender

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