Question

Choose the best scientific design to test the question “Which soil type results in the highest yield of tomatoes: clay soil or sandy soil?” A. Measure the growth of 10 tomato plants that are grown in clay soil, and compare it to the growth of 10 tomato plants that are grown in sandy soil. B. Measure the growth of a tomato plant that is grown in clay soil, and compare it to the growth of a tomato plant that is grown in sandy soil. C. Count the number of tomatoes that are produced by a tomato plant that is grown in clay soil, and compare it to the number of tomatoes that are produced by a tomato plant that is grown in sandy soil. D. Compare the average number of tomatoes that are produced by 10 tomato plants that are grown in clay soil to the average number of tomatoes that are produced by 10 tomato plants that are grown in sandy soil.

Answer 1

The best answer would be letter D. Compare the average number of tomatoes that are produced by 10 tomato plants that are grown in clay soil to the average number of tomatoes that are produced by 10 tomato plants that are grown in sandy soil.

It would be best to grow more than one tomato plant in each soil to truly represent the tomato's growth in them. To average the number of tomatoes yielded by each soil sample would also allow a sample that is more representative of the tomato plants than merely comparing single tomato plants.