Determine whether the study is an observational study or an experiment.
-A scientist was studying the effects of a new fertilizer on crop yield. She randomly assigned half of the plots on a farm to group one and the remaining plots to group two. On the plots in group one, the new fertilizer was
Used for a year. On the plots in group two, the old fertilizer was used. At the end of the year the average crop
Yield for the plots in group one was compared with the average crop yield for the plots in group two.
A)experiment
B)observational study

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an experiment because the scientist randomly assigned plots to different treatments (using new or old fertilizer) and compared the results. This type of study allows for cause-and-effect conclusions to be drawn. This is an experiment because the scientist randomly assigned plots to two different groups and purposely manipulated the type of fertilizer used on each group. The scientist then compared the crop yield between the two groups at the end of the year. It is not an observational study because the scientist was actively manipulating one variable (the type of fertilizer).

Determine Whether the Study Is an Observational Study or an Experiment