One group of students who spent the weekend studying for the test got better scores than a group who spent the weekend camping. That statement could be the result of an experiment or a correlational study. To decide whether it was an experiment, we would have to know the answer to the following question:

A) How many students spent the weekend studying and how many went camping?
B) Was the difference between the two groups statistically significant?
C) Were students assigned to the study group and the camping group, or did they decide for themselves what to do with their weekend?
D) Did any of the students who went camping take their books along with them?

Question

Najihah Munir · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Knowing whether the students were assigned to the study or camping groups or if they chose their activity themselves would help us determine whether the study is an experiment or a correlational study. If the groups were randomly assigned, then it would be an experiment as the researcher manipulated the variable (study vs. camping) and observed its effect on the dependent variable (test scores). However, if the students chose their own activity, it would be a correlational study, as the researcher only observed the relationship between the two variables without manipulating them.

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