Question

Use the following data to answer the next five exercises: Two researchers are gathering data on hours of video games played by school-aged children and young adults. They each randomly sample different groups of 150 students from the same school. They collect the following data.

Give a reason why the data may differ.

Short answer

The data may differ because of the different age groups involved in the research.

Step-by-step solution

Concept Introduction

The raw information obtained from the population of interest is referred to as data in statistics. The collection and validity of this data are dependent on various factors.

Explanation

In the given scenario, as the researchers used various age groups in their samples, such as school-aged children and young adults, the results of the two samples may differ. It's possible that one researcher's sample contains more school-aged youngsters, while the other contains more young adults. This very basic characteristic of the participants engaged in the research data may cause differences in the researchers' final outcome.

Final answer

As a result, because of the different age groups involved in the research, the data may differ.