Question

A nutritionist at the Food and Drug Administration is studying the effects of cereal marketing on family meal choices. In particular, she would like to understand how cereal manufacturers market their products in grocery stores. She became ∫erested in doing this study after noticing how the cereal was being restocked one day in her local grocery store. The store personnel were restocking the cereal shelves based on a reference sheet that told them where everything was to be placed. The placement of each cereal brand seemed very deliberate. To gather data for her study, the nutritionist goes to the local grocery store and records data about cereal nutritional claims and shelf location for 77 cereals. Consider the variables in the data set. Identify the variables that are qualitative and those that are quantitative. a) Qualitative: Nutritional claims, Quantitative: Shelf location b) Qualitative: Shelf location, Quantitative: Nutritional claims c) Qualitative: Cereal brand, Quantitative: Shelf location d) Qualitative: Shelf location, Quantitative: Cereal brand Consider the variable Shelf. This variable is the shelf position of the cereal (bottom, middle, top) starting from the floor up. Based on your experience at the grocery store, do you think that the shelf position is related to the nutritional content of the cereal? Why or why not? a) Yes, because higher shelves have healthier cereals b) No, because shelf position is random c) Yes, because lower shelves have more popular cereals d) No, because shelf position and nutritional content are unrelated

Answer 1

1. The variables in the data set are: qualitative - nutritional claims, quantitative - shelf location. Option a is correct.

2. No, the shelf position of the cereal is not related to the nutritional content because 'because shelf position and nutritional content are unrelated'. Option d is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The qualitative variable in the data set is nutritional claims, as it involves descriptions or characteristics of the cereals, such as "low fat" or "high fiber." The quantitative variable is shelf location, as it involves numerical values that indicate the position of the cereals on the shelves, such as "bottom," "middle," or "top."

In grocery stores, cereal manufacturers often pay for specific shelf positions to increase visibility and sales. The placement of cereals on the shelves is usually based on factors like popularity, marketing agreements, and consumer demand. Nutritional content, on the other hand, is regulated by food authorities and is displayed on the packaging of the cereal. It is not directly influenced by the shelf position.

For example, a cereal with a high nutritional value can be placed on any shelf, whether it is the top, middle, or bottom. Similarly, a cereal with low nutritional value can also be placed on any shelf. The shelf position is primarily determined by marketing strategies and the manufacturer's agreement with the store.

In conclusion, the shelf position of the cereal is unrelated to the nutritional content, as it is influenced by marketing and product placement rather than the nutritional value of the cereal.

Correct answer:

1. a) Qualitative: Nutritional claims, Quantitative: Shelf location
2. d) No, because shelf position and nutritional content are unrelated.