Question

the taste engineers at “drinksoft” have developed a new formula for their major brand “cola-loca.” they wanted to know how tasty it is to teenagers compared to the old formula, so they decided to set up a blind taste test.

they randomly assigned 300 blindfolded, teenaged participants to two groups. one group was given the old formula of “cola-loca,” and the other was given the new formula. each participant was asked to fill a formal taste 10-point questionnaire, where 1 is considered “awful” and 10 is considered “delicious.”

what type of a statistical study did the engineers use?

choose 1 answer:

a sample study

b experiment

c observational study

the engineers found that the mean taste score of the new formula is 4 points lower than the mean taste score of the old formula. based on some re-randomization simulations, they concluded that the result is significant and not due to the randomization of the groups.

what valid conclusions can be made from this result?

mark the most suitable choice.

choose 1 answer:

a the result suggests that the old formula tastes better among teenagers than the new one.

b there’s a positive correlation between drinking the old formula and the perceived tastefulness among teenagers.

c the old formula tastes better than the new one.

d the result suggests that the old formula tastes better among teenage boys than the new one.

Explanation:

First Question (Type of Statistical Study)

To determine the type of statistical study, we analyze the setup: the engineers randomly assigned participants to two groups (old vs. new formula) and manipulated the independent variable (formula type) to observe the effect on the dependent variable (taste score). An experiment involves controlled manipulation of variables and random assignment, which matches this setup. A sample study is not a standard term for this context, and an observational study does not involve manipulation or random assignment.

The study was conducted on teenagers, and the mean taste score of the old formula was 4 points higher than the new one, with the result being significant (not due to randomization). Option A correctly states the result suggests the old formula tastes better among teenagers (the study’s population). Option B is incorrect as correlation implies a relationship without manipulation, but this was an experiment. Option C is too general (the study was on teenagers, not all people). Option D is incorrect as the study did not distinguish by gender (only teenagers overall).

Answer:

B. Experiment

Second Question (Valid Conclusion)