What explains the conflict between Woodriff and Kirsch?

• A. Their goals and methodology were incompatible
• B. They disagreed over funding
• C. They had a personal feud
• D. They wanted to merge companies

Answer: (A)

The conflict boils down to a mismatch in goals and the ways to reach them. When two people envision different end results and simultaneously prefer different methods to achieve those results, they naturally clash over what to pursue, how to interpret evidence, and how to allocate resources. This kind of fundamental misalignment touches strategy, priorities, and approach, so disagreements aren’t just about one project detail—they reflect deeper differences in direction and technique that are hard to reconcile.

That’s why this explanation is the strongest: it points to the root of the tension as a clash between what they wanted to accomplish and how they intended to get there. Other possibilities like a funding dispute or a personal feud can strain a relationship, but they don’t capture the core reason two collaborators end up at odds in a way that affects decisions, testing, and overall vision.