7. In a study of how people make mindless choices that affect how much they eat,

Question

7. In a study of how people make mindless choices that affect how much they eat, 85 nutrition experts were asked to scoop themselves as much ice cream as they wanted (Wansink, Ittersum, and Painter, 2006). Some of them were randomly given a large bowl (34 ounces) as they entered the line, and the others were given a smaller bowl (17 ounces). Similarly, some were randomly given a large spoon (3 ounces), and the others were given a small spoon (2 ounces). Researchers then recorded the amount of ice cream (volume) each subject scooped for him or herself. Their conjecture was that those given a larger bowl would tend to scoop more ice cream, as would those given a larger spoon. (a) Identify the observational units in this study. (b) Identify the three variables that were recorded on the observational units in this study. Also, classify each variable as categorical or numeric. Variable 1: Type: Variable 2: Type Type: Variable 3:

Explanation / Answer

Observational units are experimental units on which information is collected or obtained and its characteristics measured.

The characteristics that are to be measured are called Variables.It may take different values based on its type, namely:

-Numeric ( Quantitative or Continuous) variable

Can take infinite no. of possible values,i.e.may take any value on the real line.These values are uncountable.

-Categorical (Qualitative or Discrete) variable

Takes only a countable no. of values (integers), usually represents distinct categories

(a)

The observational units in the given experiment are:

A sample of 84 people who were asked to scoop themselves ice-cream with the randomly assigned bowl and spoon.

(b)

The three variables that were recorded on the observational units in this study are as follows:

Variable 1: Bowl Size Type : Categorical  (2 categories)

Values taken = 2 (Countable) - Large (34 ounces)

- Small (17 ounces)

Variable 2: Spoon Size Type : Categorical (2 categories)

Values taken = 2 (Countable) - Large (3 ounces)

- Small ( 2 ounces)

Variable 3: Amount of Icecream scooped Type : Numeric (Volume, in ounces)

Values taken - Uncountable (any no. of values within the possible interval)

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