1 Select one of the following issues and describe in detail

1.) Select one of the following issues, and describe in detail the design of an experiment to address it. Also explain why observational studies investigating the issue could not settle the question by describing at least one potential confounding variable.
a. Is the use of cell phones by automobile drivers a hazard?
b. Does prayer help to reduce suffering?
c. Does requiring students to wear uniforms in school lead to better academic achievements

2.) Are dog owners or cat owners more likely to perform CPR on their pet in event of an emergency? A nationwide study of 1166 pet owners conducted on October 1–5, 2009, found that 63% of dog owners and 53% of cat owners said that they are at least somewhat likely to do this. Suppose that you want to conduct a study on this question in your community. Would you use random sampling or random assignment in collecting your data? Explain.

Solution

Observational studies draw inferences about the effect of an exposure or intervention on subjects, where the assignment of subjects to groups is observed rather than manipulated through randomization by the investigator. Observational research involve the direct observation of individuals in their natural setting. This issue known as confounding is a primary challence of observational reasearch.

The studies find the ceullular telephone use while operating a motor vehicle is a distraction-inducing action.

Random selection and random assignment are commonly confused or used interchangeably, though the terms refer to entirely different processes. Random selection refers to how sample members (study participants) are selected from the population for inclusion in the study. Random assignment is an aspect of experimental design in which study participants are assigned to the treatment or control group using a random procedure.