A company that manufactures golf balls produces a new type of ball that is supposed to travel significantly farther than the company’s previous golf ball. To determine this, 40 new-style golf balls and 40 original-style golf balls are randomly selected from the company’s production line on a specific day. The balls are then placed in a bag and shaken. A golf pro then selects a ball and hits it using a driver. The distance the ball travels is then measured. The bag is shaken again, and the golf pro selects another ball and hits it with the same driver. He continues this procedure until all 80 of the golf balls are hit.
Which of the following describes the benefit of using control in this experiment?
Controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball eliminates the need to have a control group.
Controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball that may influence the response variable eliminates variability in the response variable.
Controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball that may influence the response variable reduces variability in the response variable.
Controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball means the differences observed in the response variable can be attributed to those variables that were controlled.
The correct answer is: Controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball that may influence the response variable reduces variability in the response variable.
By controlling the type of golf club used and having the same golf pro hit the ball, the experiment seeks to minimize any external factors that could affect the distance the ball travels. This helps to reduce the variability in the response variable (the distance the ball travels) and allows for more accurate and reliable comparisons between the new-style and original-style golf balls.