Observation vs Experiment

To test the effects of breakfast on grades I ask my students if they ate breakfast and then compare the breakfast eaters grades to the non-breakfast eaters. This is an example of:

• Observational study

• Experiment

Researchers collect data from 200 high school students on how many hours they sleep each night, without influencing or altering their sleep habits. They also gather each student’s GPA for the current school year. Researchers then analyze the data to determine if there is a correlation between sleep duration and GPA.

• The example of Observational Study

• The example of Experimental Study

Ms. Rivera, a teacher, organizes an experiment over two weeks during recess. She divides her students into two groups: Group A participates in structured group activities, such as team games and collaborative projects. Group B has free play, allowing them to choose their activities without any specific guidance. Assessment: At the end of the two weeks, Ms. Rivera evaluates the children's social interactions by recording instances of cooperative play, communication, and the formation of new friendships in both groups.

• The example of Observational Study

• The example of Experimental Study

Compare the grades on a final math test of 25 students who use calculators and 25 students who do not use calculators. The students decide which group they are in.

• Experiment

• Observational Study

In an ________________, a researcher observes and measures characteristics of interest of part of the population but does not change existing conditions.

• Experiment

• Observational Study

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Individuals are observed and variables are measured without controlling the individuals or the environment

• population

• observational study

• experiment

• secondary data

Decide if the scenario would be EXPERIMENTAL or OBSERVATIONAL. Compare the grades on a final math test of 25 students who use calculators and 25 students who do not use calculators. The students decide which group they are in. This represents a ​ (a)   study.

• Experimental

• Observational

A group of students were asked to count the number of scars on both of their hands. The number of scars on their dominant hand was compared to the number of scars on their "off" hand. Is this an observational study or a randomized experiment?

• Observational

• Random Experiment

Decide if the scenario would be EXPERIMENTAL or OBSERVATIONAL. Compare the grades on a final math test of 25 students who use calculators and 25 students who do not use calculators. The students decide which group they are in. This represents a ​ (a)   study.

• Experimental

• Observational

You want to see if students who have a 4.0 grade point average study more than those who do not.

• experiment

• observational study