State highway safety experts claim that the recent rise in highway fatalities involving tractor trailers is a result of truckers receiving insufficient rest.They randomly sample 200 truckers who are on interstate deliveries and record the total amount of non-driving time they have had over the past 72 hours.This study is BEST described as a(n)_____ study.
A) observational
B) longitudinal
C) experimental
D) inferential

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This study is only observing the behavior of the truckers and recording their non-driving time. There is no manipulation of any variables, so it cannot be experimental. It is also not longitudinal as it only records data from a 72-hour period. It is inferential in the sense that the experts are using this sample to make inferences about the larger population of truckers, but that does not describe the type of study it is. Therefore, the best description is an observational study.

State Highway Safety Experts Claim That the Recent Rise in Highway