Question

a researcher selected 26 guinea pigs from one habitat and 18 wild cavies from another habitat at random in venezuela. a field of a specific size within each habitat was divided into equally sized virtual squares, and the animals were allowed to wander in the field for a fixed amount of time to observe their behavior, the researcher counted the number of times the guinea pigs and wild cavies crossed the virtual squares in their field during early adolescence and again during late adolescence. the researcher found that in early adolescence, the number of virtual squares the wild cavies crossed was significantly more than the number of virtual squares the guinea pigs crossed. the researcher also found that the number of virtual crossed by both the wild cavies and the guinea pigs decreased from early adolescence to late adolescence based on the researchers finding, which of the following statement is an appropriate conclusion that can be drawn from this study? a. the statistically significant difference in behavior between the two age groups was caused by the difference in habitat b. the statically significant difference in behavior between the two age groups as caused by aging c. the statistically significant difference in behavior during early adolescence between the two groups of animals can be generalized to all guinea pigs and wild cavies d. the statistically significant difference in behavior during early adolescence between the two groups of animals can only be generalized to the habitats in the study?

Explanation:

The study only involved guinea - pigs and wild cavies from specific habitats in Venezuela. Results from a sample cannot be generalized beyond the scope of the study without further evidence. Option a and b assume causation without proper evidence. Option c over - generalizes to all guinea - pigs and wild cavies. Option d is correct as the significant difference can only be generalized to the habitats in the study.

Answer:

d. the statistically significant difference in behavior during early adolescence between the two groups of animals can only be generalized to the habitats in the study