Research Methods and Data Collection Worksheet

Circle the method of collecting data that would be most appropriate (cost effective) for the situation. A college wants to know if having a laptop will improve freshman study habits.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

Circle the method of collecting data that would be most appropriate (cost effective) for the situation. A medical researcher wants to know the minimum dosage of a new medicine to recommend for headaches.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

A grocery store manager wants to know how much more of a certain food item will sell if he lowers the price by 10%.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

Circle the method of collecting data that would be most appropriate (cost effective) for the situation. A farmer wants to know how much water he must use to increase his crop yield by 20%.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

Circle the method of collecting data that would be most appropriate (cost effective) for the situation.

A teacher wants to know how Internet access can help her students with their homework assignments.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

The study described in the report is a randomized comparative experiment. Describe the treatment, the treatment group, and the control group.

• The treatment: Being told to order with a pay service. The treatment group: The group told to order with a pay service. The control group: The group told to order in their normal way.

• The treatment: Being told to order in their normal way. The treatment group: The group told to order in their normal way. The control group: The group told to order with a pay service.

• The treatment: Receiving a free meal. The treatment group: The group receiving a free meal. The control group: The group paying for their meal.

• The treatment: Being observed while ordering. The treatment group: The group observed while ordering. The control group: The group not observed while ordering.

The study described in the report is a randomized comparative experiment. Describe the treatment, the treatment group, and the control group.

• The treatment: Putting products on sale in early September. The treatment group: The group of products put on sale in early September. The control group: The group of products that did not go on sale until early November.

• The treatment: Advertising products in early September. The treatment group: The group of products advertised in early September. The control group: The group of products advertised in early November.

• The treatment: Increasing product prices in early September. The treatment group: The group of products with increased prices in early September. The control group: The group of products with increased prices in early November.

• The treatment: Removing products from sale in early September. The treatment group: The group of products removed from sale in early September. The control group: The group of products removed from sale in early November.

The study described in the report is a randomized comparative experiment. Describe the treatment, the treatment group, and the control group.

• The treatment: Taking the course online.

  The treatment group: Students assigned to the online class.

  The control group: Students assigned to the classroom class.

• The treatment: Attending extra tutoring sessions.

  The treatment group: Students assigned to the classroom class.

  The control group: Students assigned to the online class.

• The treatment: Taking the course in a hybrid format.

  The treatment group: Students assigned to both online and classroom classes.

  The control group: Students assigned to only classroom classes.

• The treatment: Not taking the course at all.

  The treatment group: Students who did not participate in any class.

  The control group: Students assigned to the online class.

Classify each method as a survey, an experiment or observational study, and explain which would be the most reliable. Method A: Randomly divide a group of 100 people with minor cuts into two groups. Have each group use a different ointment, and record how long it takes their cuts to heal.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study

Classify each method as a survey, an experiment or observational study, and explain which would be the most reliable. Method B: Choose 100 people at random. Ask which ointments they have used in the past, and how quickly their cuts have healed with each ointment.

• Survey

• Experiment

• Observational study