Chapter 6, Problem 21REAE

Solution

To Decide:

Whether the given situation is an example of observational study, survey, or randomized controlled experiment.

This is a survey.

Given:

Preparing for an employee appreciation dinner, a human resources representative asks people to name their favorite type of sandwich bread.

Concepts Used:

An experiment necessarily imposes some treatment to the subjects to measure the effect on variables of interest.

In an observational study variables of interest are observed without imposing any treatment on the subjects.

In a survey subjects are asked direct questions about the variables of interest.

Description:

This is not an experiment since no treatment is imposed. This is not an observational study because natural behavior is not observed. This is a survey as the respondents are asked the question directly.

Conclusion:

This is a survey.