Lesson Plan

Define and distinguish a sample survey, an observational study, and a randomized experiment by their purpose and structure

Identify the explanatory and response variables and the treatment/control structure in a described study

Explain the two distinct roles of randomization: random selection (for generalizing to a population) and random assignment (for establishing cause and effect)

Explain why an observational study can show association but not causation, using the idea of a confounding (lurking) variable

Given a study scenario, classify it and state what kind of conclusion -- generalization, causation, both, or neither -- it can support

HSS.IC.B.3

HSS.IC.B.3: Recognize the purposes of and differences among sample surveys, experiments, and observational studies; explain how randomization relates to each.