Question

Does eating dinner with their families improve students’ academic performance? According to an ABC News article, “Teenagers who eat with their families at least five times a week are more likely to get better grades in

school.”19 This finding was based on a sample survey conducted by researchers at Columbia University.

Was this an observational study or an experiment? Justify your answer.

Short answer

Experimental Study.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

Teenagers who eat with their family at least five times per week are more likely to excel academically.

Concept

Observational research looks at people and assesses factors of interest without trying to affect their responses.

Individuals are purposely subjected to a treatment in order to measure their responses in an experiment.

Explanation

This is an experimental study in which both the test and control groups are tested and kept in a controlled environment with adequate variable modifications according to needs.