After reviewing research on academic cheating, the author notes that rates of cheating among athletes have which status?

• A. Have not been studied adequately to make any definite conclusions.
• B. Are universally higher than non-athletes.
• C. Are negligible and unworthy of study.
• D. Are decreasing due to policy changes.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the evidence on cheating among athletes isn’t strong enough to draw definite conclusions. Research in this area faces many measurement challenges—different definitions of cheating, diverse populations (youth, college, professional athletes), and reliance on self-reports that can understate or misrepresent true behavior. These factors mean studies often yield inconsistent or inconclusive results, so the author emphasizes that cheating rates haven’t been studied adequately to make solid claims. The other options would require consistent, unambiguous findings (e.g., universally higher rates, negligible rates, or a clear decline due to policy), which the review does not provide.