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Math·Problem-Solving and Data Analysis·Evaluating statistical claims: Observational studies and experiments
medium
For a study, a group of chipmunks will be selected from a habitat and a group of prairie dogs will be selected from a habitat. The selected animals will then be divided into groups, with some animals placed in a treatment group that receives a new diet and some animals placed in a control group that receives a standard diet. Researchers want to determine whether the new diet causes a change in the animals’ activity levels.
Which of the following is necessary for this study to attempt to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables?
A
The number of chipmunks in the study equals the number of prairie dogs in the study.
B
The chipmunks and the prairie dogs are randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups.
C
The chipmunks and the prairie dogs are randomly selected from their respective habitats.
D
The average age of the chipmunks is equal to the average age of the prairie dogs.