Question

Suppose you read a story that claims the government is conducting an investigation of corruption in a congressional district. On what type of data source is the claim in this story​ based?

a. These data are results of an observational study.
b. These data are collected by ongoing business activities.
c. These data are distributed by an organization.
d. These data are responses from a survey.
e. These data are outcomes of a designed experiment.

Answer 1

a. These data are results of an observational study.

Explanation:

In observational study, individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured without the observer trying to affect the outcome of the observation. The results of an observational study can be random, and there final results might not be expected prior to the study. In observational study, the observer does not affect the study because of ethical concerns or logistical constraints. In the case of this question, the observer might be under the constraint of not having the political influence of a direct experiment.