Question

Researchers wanted to determine if having a video game console in the bedroom is associated with obesity. The researchers administered a questionnaire to 353 ​twelve-year-old adolescents. After analyzing the​ results, the researchers determined that the body mass index of the adolescents who had a video game console in their bedroom was significantly higher than that of the adolescents who did not have a video game console in their bedroom. Complete parts​ (a) through​ (e) below. ​(a) Why is this an observational​ study? What type of observational study is​ this? Why is this an observational​ study? A. The researchers administered a questionnaire to obtain their data without trying to influence an explanatory variable of the study. Your answer is correct.B. The researchers intentionally changed an explanatory variable of the study. C. The researchers tried to influence the outcome of the study. D. The researchers observed the behavior of the individuals in the study without trying to influence an explanatory variable of the study. What type of observational study is​ this? Cohort study ​Case-control study ​Cross-sectional study

Answer 1

Question 1

The correct answer is: "The researchers administered a questionnaire to obtain their data without trying to influence an explanatory variable of the study".

An observational study is one in which the researcher observes the effect of a variable without manipulating the conditions that surround the exposure or the subjects who are exposed to it. In this example, he simply hands out questionaires to the 353 individuals that compose the sample drawn from the population of interest: 12-year old teenagers.

Question 2

The correct answer is: "a cohort study".

The researcher is interested on a population group where all the components share a common characteristic (12-year old) and therefore they all belong to the same cohort. Subsequenly, he evaluates the differences between the ones who have been exposed to the explanatory variable (having a video console in the bedroom) and those who have not.