Title: Example 1 Classify Study Types
Author: The McGraw-Hill Companies
Last saved by: Marissa L Kalina

Name: ______________________________________________ 	Period: ________

Designing a Study

Classifying Studies

Survey |
Experiment |
Observational |

Example 1  Classify Study Types

Determine whether each situation describes a survey, an experiment, or an observational study. Then identify the sample, and suggest a population from which it may have been selected.

a.  	DRUG TESTING   A research company wants to test the effects of a drug on patients. One group is given the drug while the other group is given a placebo.

b.  	STUDYING   The freshmen class wants to start a study group. 
They send out a questionnaire to 60 random freshmen asking for their opinions.

Creating Survey questions
When creating survey questions, avoid questions that:
•	
•	
•	
•	
These kinds of questions create _____________
Example 2  Identify Bias in Survey Questions
Determine whether each survey question is biased or unbiased. If unbiased, explain your reasoning.

a.  	Do you carpool to work?

b.  	Shouldn’t the NFL continue to play 16 games instead of 18?

Creating a Survey
Step 1	

Step 2	.

Step 3	

Real-World Example 3  Design a Survey

TECHNOLOGY    Kendra is a member of the activities committee for her company. She wants to conduct a survey to determine how many employees would be interested in doing a potluck next month. State the objective of the survey, suggest a population, and write two unbiased survey questions.

Step 1	State the objective of the survey.

Step 2	Identify the population.

Step 3	Write an unbiased survey question.

Designing a Study (homework)

Problem 1
 Choose a Study Type

Determine whether each situation calls for a survey, an experiment, or an observational study. Explain your reasoning.

a.  	EDUCATION   A teacher wants to test whether a new lesson strategy is effective.

b.  	DIGITAL PRODUCTS   A researcher wants to test some new digital product designs by observing the reactions of a selected group of potential customers.

Problem 2 
ELECTION At the Democratic National Convention, people are asked if they are going to vote for a Democratic or Republican candidate for president.

Who Do You Support for President?

Democratic
Candidate

Republican
Candidate

Other
Candidate

94% | 3% | 3%

	Is this a biased or unbiased survey? If biased, explain your reasoning.

Problem 3  
Design a Survey

TECHNOLOGY    A community college wants to determine whether college-bound students from local high schools would be interested in taking a class at the college. 

Step 1	State the objective of the survey.

Step 2	Identify the population.

Step 3	Write an unbiased survey question.