SAT OwlQuestion bank / Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments
A researcher wants to determine whether listening to music while studying affects students' test scores. Which of the following describes an experiment that could address this question?
Surveying students about whether they listen to music while studying and comparing their test scores
Reviewing last year's test scores of students who are in the school band
Asking teachers whether they think music helps students study
Randomly assigning students to study either with music or in silence, then comparing their test scores
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D
In an experiment, the researcher imposes the treatment rather than just observing it. Randomly assigning students to the music or silence condition does this and balances other factors between the groups. The other choices only observe existing behavior or opinions.
Choice A collects useful data, but because students chose whether to listen to music, it is an observational study, not an experiment.
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