Determine whether the following scenario fits an observational study. Your teacher is trying to find the best way to teach fractions, and so they teach half the class using a traditional method and the other half of the class using hand-held fraction representations.

Question

Option #1: Yes, an observational study is the best.

Option #2: No, an observational study is not the best.

(1 point)
Option #

Answer 1

Option #2: No, an observational study is not the best.

This scenario describes an experimental study because the teacher is actively manipulating the teaching methods being used in the class (traditional method vs. hand-held fraction representations) to observe the effects on student learning. In an observational study, researchers would simply observe and measure outcomes without interference or manipulation of variables.