Back to Distinguish surveys, experiments, and observational studies — Problem 1 · Task Set 14

Exercises: Distinguish Surveys, Experiments, and Observational Studies

Work through each section in order. For classification problems, decide whether a study is a sample survey, an observational study, or a randomized experiment, and use two separate questions: "Was there random SELECTION?" (which governs whether results generalize to a population) and "Was there random ASSIGNMENT?" (which governs whether a difference can be read as causation). For explanation problems, write in complete sentences.

Grade 10·21 problems·~35 min·Common Core Math - HS Statistics and Probability·group·hss-ic-b-3

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Warm-Up: Study Vocabulary

These problems review the vocabulary you will use throughout.

In a study of an after-school tutoring program, researchers decide who attends tutoring by flipping a coin for each student, then compare the two groups' test scores. What kind of study is this?

A randomized experiment, because the researchers impose the treatment (who attends) by chance.

A sample survey, because students are asked about their scores.

An observational study, because the researchers watch scores without intervening.

None of these, because comparing two groups is not a real study design.