An office manager wants to determine how employees feel about their personal growth and professional achievement in the last quarter. Should they run an observational study or experiment?

• A. Experiment
• B. Observational study
• C. Neither
• D. Both

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between an observational study and an experiment: An observational study involves observing and collecting data without manipulating any variables, while an experiment involves actively manipulating one or more variables to observe their effect on an outcome.
2. Identify the goal of the office manager: The goal is to determine how employees feel about their personal growth and professional achievement, which involves collecting subjective opinions or perceptions.
3. Determine whether manipulation of variables is necessary: Since the office manager is only interested in gathering employees' feelings and not testing the effect of any intervention or change, no variables need to be manipulated.
4. Conclude that this scenario aligns with an observational study: The office manager would collect data (e.g., through surveys or interviews) without altering any conditions, which is characteristic of an observational study.
5. Verify that an experiment is not appropriate: An experiment would require the office manager to introduce a specific intervention (e.g., a training program) and measure its impact, which is not the case here.