Self-study
Modern science is built on the process of posing hypotheses and testing them against observations—in essence, attempting to show that the hypotheses are incorrect. Nothing brings more recognition than overthrowing conventional wisdom. It is accordingly unsurprising that some scientists are skeptical of the widely accepted predictions of global warming. What is instead remarkable is that with hundreds of researchers striving to make breakthroughs in climatology, very few find evidence that global warming is unlikely.
18.
The information above provides the most support for which one of the following statements?
a
Most scientists who are reluctant to accept the global warming hypothesis are not acting in accordance with the accepted standards of scientific debate.
There is nothing in the stimulus about the “accepted standards of scientific debate.” It is also a very large assumption to speak on the actions of what “most scientists” in a certain subset believe.
b
Most researchers in climatology have substantial motive to find evidence that would discredit the global warming hypothesis.
The stimulus says that “nothing brings more recognition than overthrowing conventional wisdom.” The presence of global warming is conventional wisdom in the scientific community, so it is not unreasonable to assume that there is a substantial motive to disprove it.
c
There is evidence that conclusively shows that the global warming hypothesis is true.
This is too strong to support. The stimulus only says that very few scientists have found evidence to show that global warming is unlikely. Nothing says that it is “conclusively true.” Don’t let this answer choice tap into your assumptions!
d
Scientists who are skeptical about global warming have not offered any alternative hypotheses to explain climatological data.
This is too strong to support. The stimulus does not give concrete information on whether scientists have given any hypothesis to challenge global warming. The stimulus only says that few have found evidence that it is unlikely.
e
Research in global warming is primarily driven by a desire for recognition in the scientific community.
This is too strong to support. The stimulus implies that it is a factor, but not that it is the primary factor.