Question 2. Computer programmers employed by a software developer were asked to

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Question 2. Computer programmers employed by a software developer were asked to participate in a month-long training seminar. During the seminar, each employee was asked to report the number of hours spent in class preparation each week. After completing the seminar, the productivity level of each participant was measured. A positive statistical relationship between participants' productivity levels and time spent in class preparation was found. The seminar leader concluded that increases in emplovee productivity are caused by increased class preparation time. a. Were the data in the study observational or experimental data: b. Comment on the validity of conclusion reached by the seminar leader. c. Identify two or three other alternative explanatory variables that might cause both the employee productivity scores and the employee class participation times to increase (decrease) simultaneously d. How m ight the study be changed so that a valid conclusion about causal relationship between class preparation time and employee productivity can be reached?

Explanation / Answer

a). This is an observational data since the the subjects are not being influenced to any kind of treatment. Behaviour is only observed.No changes are made in the process hence it is observational data.

b).This is a weak research design because:-

c & d). It can be improved by:-

1. Taking into account all variations.

2. smothening of the equation.

3. Dummy variables.

4. Expanding the data set to more years of observation.

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