A biology department at a university recently received a large donation from a chemical company after agreeing to research the effects of an Alzheimer's drug recently developed by the company. After the research study was completed, other universities asserted that the study was biased due to the donation from the company. As proof of the unbiased nature of the study, the department president asserted that they did not receive funds from the company until after the study was completed.
Which of the following most undermines the department president's position?
A)The biology department has a long-standing policy of accepting donations from all corporate donors.
B)The company made it known that it would only make the donation if the results of the study were positive for the drug, which they were.
C)Other universities were denied a donation from the chemical company.
D)The company had assured that biology department that they would make a donation even if the results showed problems with the drug.
E)The department president is in no way affiliated with the chemical company, other than through the donation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

It most undermines the department president's position if the company made it known that it would only make the donation if the results of the study were positive for the drug, which they were. If the funds were conditional on a positive result from the study, that is evidence of possible bias, calling into question the department president's assertion that the study was unbiased because it was conducted before they received the funds.

A Biology Department at a University Recently Received a Large