Question 109·Easy·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Citizen science refers to public participation in scientific research.
- Volunteers might record observations, classify images, or collect samples.
- Such projects provide scientists with large datasets spanning wide geographic areas.
- In 2021, the Seafloor Surveyors project asked divers to upload photos of marine algae.
- The project’s data helped track the spread of an invasive species.
The student wants to define the term "citizen science." Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For note-based definition and synthesis questions, first underline exactly what the question is asking you to produce (here, a definition of a term). Then quickly sort the notes into those that describe the concept in general and those that describe specific examples or details. The correct answer will combine only the relevant general notes, accurately and efficiently, without adding new information that is not in the notes and without focusing on a single project, year, or case study. When in doubt, prefer the choice that could serve as a dictionary-style explanation that would make sense even without the example notes.
Hints
Focus on the purpose
You are asked to define "citizen science." Which notes talk about what it is in general, and which ones are just about one particular project?
General vs. specific information
A good definition should be general and broadly true, not tied to a single year, project name, or species. Eliminate any options that mainly describe one example instead of the overall concept.
Use multiple relevant notes
Look for a choice that combines several of the first three notes (who is involved, what they do, and what the projects produce) without bringing in details that the notes never mention.
Avoid added, unsupported details
Check whether any choices insert ideas that are not in the notes at all—for example, specific procedures or locations that the notes never discuss.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task
The question asks for a sentence that defines the term "citizen science" using the notes. That means the best answer must:
- Explain what citizen science is in general, not describe just one example.
- Use relevant information from the notes, without adding outside details.
Separate general definition notes from specific example notes
Look at what each note is about:
- Note 1: General definition — public participation in scientific research.
- Note 2: General — what volunteers might do (record observations, classify images, collect samples).
- Note 3: General — what these projects produce (large datasets spanning wide geographic areas).
- Notes 4 and 5: Specific example — the Seafloor Surveyors project in 2021 and tracking an invasive species.
A good definition sentence should mainly build from notes 1–3, not be mostly about notes 4 and 5.
Describe what a strong definition should include
From notes 1–3, we can see that a complete definition of citizen science should:
- Make clear that public volunteers are involved in scientific research.
- Mention the kinds of tasks they might do (like recording observations or classifying images).
- Possibly include the resulting benefit: creating large datasets across wide areas.
Now compare the answer choices and look for the one sentence that combines these key ideas into a general definition, without focusing on a single project or adding unsupported details.
Match the best choice to the notes and task
Only one choice does all of the following:
- States that citizen science involves public volunteers engaging in scientific research.
- Gives examples of what they might do, like recording observations or classifying images.
- Explains that these activities produce large datasets across wide areas.
That choice is:
Citizen science engages public volunteers in scientific research, such as recording observations or classifying images, producing large datasets across wide areas.