A finding question asks whether new evidence backs up a claim about a difference between groups. Read the claim and put it in a few words, keeping the groups, the measurement, and when it was taken. Predict the direction of the difference the claim calls for. If researchers account for other factors, ask whether the finding still shows the difference after those factors are considered. Evidence about a related measurement doesn't show the claimed result.
Hints
- Hint 1
Read the underlined sentence and put the claim in a few words. What groups does it compare, and what exactly should differ?
- Hint 2
In the claim, check the measurement and its timing. What kind of temperature reading would test it?
- Hint 3
Predict the direction of the difference between the canopy groups, keeping the researchers’ other factors in mind.
Step-by-step
Match the claim's comparison
Step 1Put the comparison in a few words
The underlined claim compares neighborhoods with greater tree canopy with neighborhoods with sparse tree canopy. What difference would support it? The planners expect lower afternoon surface temperatures during heat waves in the higher-canopy group, so let's predict cooler surfaces where there's more canopy. We need readings from both groups during heat waves, because temperatures from one group alone wouldn't show the claimed difference.
- Step 2
Test the measurement and other factors
Do the findings show that result after other neighborhood differences are considered? The researchers are accounting for factors such as building density and proximity to the coast, so support is stronger when the temperature gap remains after those factors are considered. Higher humidity and residents feeling no cooler tell us about moisture and comfort, not the surface temperatures the claim names. Nearly identical afternoon surface temperatures show no cooler surfaces in higher-canopy neighborhoods. The finding about neighborhood age leaves another possible cause, since it says the temperature difference couldn't confidently be tied to canopy alone.
- Step 3
Use the measured temperature gap
The finding with 3°C cooler afternoon surfaces gives a measured difference in the predicted direction during heat waves. Does that gap remain after the researchers account for other neighborhood factors? Yes: building density and distance to the coast have been considered, yet the highest-canopy neighborhoods still have cooler afternoon surfaces. Choice D.