Question

Sandra conducted an observational study to learn how relationships with family affect happiness. She surveyed 500 people in her hometown and found that 85% say that positive relationships with family members make them happy. What could be the conclusion of her study?

Answer 1

She may conclude that in her hometown, a majority of people experience greater happiness thanks to positive relationships. However, in order to apply this to a greater population, she will have to use a larger sample of people.

Answer 2

Since this is an observational study and not an experiment, she can only conclude that there may be a link between closeness with family and happiness but we cannot say that closeness with family results in happiness.