Many research projects rely on trained professionals, yet community programs increasingly enlist volunteers to collect large datasets. The project shows how nonspecialists can meaningfully contribute to research. In a recent bird-count effort, residents logged sightings on a phone app, and scientists validated patterns against readings from automatic monitors. The matches were close, allowing researchers to map migration in near real time. Organizers then used the maps to direct volunteers to gaps, improving coverage over successive weeks. While the volunteers received brief training, the process required little specialized equipment, reducing costs. The approach also invited schools to participate, expanding the program's reach.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the overall structure of the text?
- Introduces a central claim that the paragraph then supports with an example. (correct answer)
- Provides a counterexample that challenges earlier findings.
- Defines a technical term used throughout the passage.
- Qualifies a generalization by noting an important exception.
Explanation: The sentence states the main claim that the rest of the paragraph supports with details about the bird-count project. The other options mischaracterize the sentence as a counterexample, a definition, or a qualification, which it is not.