Describe whether the following study would most likely be “observational” or “experimental”, and why it would be so.
* Mystery shoppers monitor the preferences at a shopping mall
It seems the obvious answer would be observational because, "mystery shoppers" observe people while they are shopping.
I have never taken statistics so I don't know if its one of those trick questions
I think you are right.
Definitely right.
You're correct! The study you mentioned would most likely be classified as an observational study. Here's why:
Observational studies involve researchers observing subjects or situations without any intervention or manipulation of variables. In this case, mystery shoppers are observing and monitoring the preferences of shoppers at a mall. They would collect data on various aspects such as shopping behavior, brand preferences, product choices, etc.
In an experimental study, on the other hand, researchers deliberately manipulate one or more variables to observe the effect on the subjects. However, in the scenario you provided, there is no mention of any deliberate manipulation or intervention by the mystery shoppers. They are simply observing and recording information about the preferences of shoppers.