To conduct an experimental study of the causal effect smoking has on physical health, we would have to
A) find a group of smokers and compare their physical health to a group of nonsmokers.
B) randomly assign some people to a smoking condition and some others to a control condition.
C) compare the physical health of a heavy smoker to the physical health of a person who has never smoked.
D) teach one group of people to adopt good health habits and see if they are more likely to begin smoking than a group of people who have not been taught good health habits.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To accurately determine the causal effect of smoking on physical health, an experimental study must control for other variables by randomly assigning participants to either a smoking or a non-smoking (control) condition. This method ensures that any differences observed between the groups can be attributed to the smoking itself, rather than to pre-existing differences between the groups.

To Conduct an Experimental Study of the Causal Effect Smoking