Gabrielle Adams and colleagues reviewed suggestions for improving a university, …

English Questions

Gabrielle Adams and colleagues reviewed suggestions for improving a university that had been submitted to the university’s president. They coded each suggestion as additive (the idea suggested adding something new to the university), subtractive (the idea suggested removing something from the university), neither additive nor subtractive, or invalid (the idea was not comprehensible). The data illustrated people’s tendency to overlook the possibility of removing things to achieve improvements: ______ Which choice most effectively uses data in the graph to complete the statement? Choose 1 answer: A)fewer than 100 suggestions were coded as subtractive, whereas more than 550 suggestions were coded as additive. B)more than 350 suggestions were coded as invalid, whereas fewer than 100 suggestions were coded as subtractive. C)around 575 suggestions were coded as additive, whereas around 175 suggestions were coded as subtractive. D)around 175 suggestions were coded as neither additive nor subtractive, whereas around 575 suggestions were coded as additive.

Short Answer

Option A emphasizes the tendency to prefer additive solutions over subtractive ones in university improvement discussions, supported by a significant contrast in the number of suggestions. This aligns with research highlighting a cultural bias towards proposing additions rather than changes or removals.

Step-by-Step Solution

Option A best highlights the preference for adding solutions over removing them in the context of suggesting improvements at a university.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Understanding the question involves recognizing that it seeks to find the option that most effectively demonstrates a common tendency in problem-solving. The focus is on how solutions are proposed and prioritized during improvement discussions at universities. The data presented will help illuminate this tendency, particularly between additive and subtractive suggestions.

Step 2: Analyze the Data Differences

The key to answering the question lies in evaluating the dramatic contrast in the number of suggestions being analyzed. Specifically, option A presents a situation where there are fewer than 100 subtractive suggestions compared to more than 550 additive ones. This stark difference underscores a significant trend where the majority of proposed solutions lean towards adding new elements rather than removing or changing existing ones.

Step 3: Connect to Research Findings

Aligning this analysis with the research from Gabrielle Adams and her colleagues, the findings suggest a cultural bias towards preferring additive solutions. By citing the large number of additive suggestions, option A effectively illustrates how the potential of subtractive inputs is often overlooked. It reinforces the idea that focusing on additions is a common practice in improvement discussions, thereby confirming the overall argument made in the study.

Related Concepts

Problem-Solving

The process of identifying solutions to issues or challenges within a given context, such as suggesting improvements in a university setting

Additive Suggestions

Recommendations that involve adding new elements or features rather than removing or altering existing ones

Subtractive Suggestions

Recommendations that propose the elimination or reduction of current elements or practices as a means of improvement.

Scroll to Top