Question

For the following study, indicate whether it is an observational study or an experiment. Explain your reasoning. If it is an observational study, give the population and the sample. If it is an experiment, give the explanatory variable and the response variable.

Just prior to Episode 1 of Games of Thrones Season 8, a research company randomly divided 1,000 of HBO subscribers and showed Episode 1 of Season 8 to half of them and showed Episode 1 of Season 1 of a new comedy show to the other half. They then asked everyone how excited they were about the final episode of Game of Thrones Season 8. They found that the group who saw Episode 1 of Game of Thrones Season 8 was more excited than those who saw Episode 1 of Season 1 of the new comedy show.

Answer 1

This study is an experiment

The response variable is the level of reaction (how excited they were) of the two groups after seeing their various shows and the explanatory variable are the two shows that was manipulated by the researchers.

Explanation:

An observational study is a study where researchers collect data based on what is seen and heard and conclude based on the data collected. The researcher has no control over the variables, while an experiment is a method of applying treatments to a group and recording the effects of such treatments.

This study is an experiment because the researchers had control over the variables by manipulating the variables: showing Episode 1 of Season 8 to half of them and showing Episode 1 of Season 1 of a new comedy show to the other half. The response variable is the level of reaction (how excited they were) of the two groups after seeing their various shows and the explanatory variable are the two shows that was manipulated by the researchers.