Passage

To encourage research is one of the functions of a university. Contemporary universities have encouraged research, not only in those cases where research is necessary, but on all sorts of entirely unprofitable subjects as well. Scientific research is probably never completely valueless. However silly and insignificant it may seem, however mechanical and unintelligent the labours of the researchers, there is always a chance that the results may be of value to the investigator of talent, who can use the facts collected for him by uninspired but industrious researchers as the basis of some fruitful generalization. But where research is not original, but consists in the mere rearrangement of existing materials, where its objects is not scientific but literary or historical, then there is a risk of the whole business becoming merely futile.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2022

According to the author

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

The author explains that, even though some research might seem unimportant or trivial, it can still be of value to an intelligent investigator. The author states, "there is always a chance that the results may be of value to the investigator of talent, who can use the facts collected for him by uninspired but industrious researchers as the basis of some fruitful generalization." This implies that any research result, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can potentially be valuable to a capable investigator.

Thus, the correct answer is C, any research result can be of value to an intelligent investigator.