Recent research investigating the influence ethnicity and gender have on earnings suggests that

A) no significant changes have occurred in the past 20 years.
B) women of color are catching up to the earnings of White women.
C) the gender gap has slightly decreased over the past 40 years.
D) women of color are catching up to the earnings of White women and the gender gap has slightly decreased over the past 40 years.

Recent research indicates that women of color are making progress in closing the earning gap with White women, and that the gender gap has slightly decreased over the past 40 years. This suggests that both ethnicity and gender continue to have a significant influence on earnings, but there have been some positive changes in recent years. Option A is incorrect because changes have occurred, although the extent and significance of the changes may be a matter for debate. Option B is incomplete, because it doesn't consider the relationship between women of color and White women, nor does it address the gender gap. Option C is also incomplete, as it only focuses on the gender gap and does not address ethnicity.