Read the sentence: 'The researcher attempted to corroborate the findings of the preliminary study by conducting three independent replications across international laboratories.' What is the closest meaning of the word 'corroborate' as used in this context?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. Confirm and validate through supporting evidence

  1. Step 1: Contextual analysis shows that the researcher conducted replications to verify whether the preliminary study's findings were truthful and reproducible.
  2. Step 2: 'Corroborate' originates from Latin 'corroborare' (to strengthen), meaning to confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding.
  3. Step 3: Therefore, 'confirm and validate through supporting evidence' represents the precise contextual synonym.
Answer
Confirm and validate through supporting evidence.
Why not the others: 'Contradict and refute' is an antonym meaning to disprove; 'Circumvent' means to bypass or evade; 'Replicate without alterations' defines duplication of the experiment rather than the semantic meaning of corroborating the results.

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