, Principles of Data Science
Chapter 2
Collecting and Preparing Data
Critical Thinking
[2.1, LO 2.1.1]
1. Megan is interested in opening a gaming center that utilizes virtual reality (VR) technology.
She wants to gauge the level of interest in VR gaming among the residents of her city. She plans
to conduct a survey using a random sampling method and then use this data to determine the
potential demand for a VR gaming center in her city. What is the nature of the collected data,
experimental or observational?
Solution: The nature of the collected data in Megan's survey would be observational.
Observational data is data collected by observing and recording information without any
intervention or manipulation on the part of the researcher. In Megan's case, she plans to
conduct a survey to gauge the level of interest in VR gaming among the residents of her city.
The survey participants will provide their opinions, preferences, and demographic information,
but Megan will not be manipulating any variables or imposing experimental conditions on
them. This indicates that the data collection is observational in nature.
[2.1, LO 2.1.2]
2. A high school student is interested in determining the relationship between the weight of an
object and the distance it can travel when launched from a catapult. To collect data for analysis,
the student plans to launch objects of varying weight and then measure the corresponding
distance traveled. Using this data, the student plans to plot a graph with weight on the x-axis
and distance on the y-axis.
a. Will this data collection result in observational data or experimental data?
b. How can the student gather the necessary data to establish this relationship?
Solution a: This data collection will result in experimental data. Experimental data is obtained
through controlled experiments where the researcher manipulates one or more variables (in
this case, the weight of the object launched from the catapult) and observes the effect on
another variable (the distance traveled by the object).
Solution b: One effective method for collecting data on the relationship between weight and
launch distance is through an experimental approach. To begin, the student may conduct three
trials using a catapult to launch objects of varying weights (50 g, 100 g, and 200 g) and measure
their respective launch distances. This approach allows for the independent variable, weight, to
have multiple levels, providing a more comprehensive understanding of its impact on launch
distance. To accurately collect the data, the student should set up a catapult with a basket
attachment and measure the distance from the launch point to the object's landing point using
a measuring tape. The recorded data, including the weight of the object and its corresponding
launch distance, should be organized in a table for thorough analysis. By plotting the weight (in
11/11/24 For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org. 2
Chapter 2
Collecting and Preparing Data
Critical Thinking
[2.1, LO 2.1.1]
1. Megan is interested in opening a gaming center that utilizes virtual reality (VR) technology.
She wants to gauge the level of interest in VR gaming among the residents of her city. She plans
to conduct a survey using a random sampling method and then use this data to determine the
potential demand for a VR gaming center in her city. What is the nature of the collected data,
experimental or observational?
Solution: The nature of the collected data in Megan's survey would be observational.
Observational data is data collected by observing and recording information without any
intervention or manipulation on the part of the researcher. In Megan's case, she plans to
conduct a survey to gauge the level of interest in VR gaming among the residents of her city.
The survey participants will provide their opinions, preferences, and demographic information,
but Megan will not be manipulating any variables or imposing experimental conditions on
them. This indicates that the data collection is observational in nature.
[2.1, LO 2.1.2]
2. A high school student is interested in determining the relationship between the weight of an
object and the distance it can travel when launched from a catapult. To collect data for analysis,
the student plans to launch objects of varying weight and then measure the corresponding
distance traveled. Using this data, the student plans to plot a graph with weight on the x-axis
and distance on the y-axis.
a. Will this data collection result in observational data or experimental data?
b. How can the student gather the necessary data to establish this relationship?
Solution a: This data collection will result in experimental data. Experimental data is obtained
through controlled experiments where the researcher manipulates one or more variables (in
this case, the weight of the object launched from the catapult) and observes the effect on
another variable (the distance traveled by the object).
Solution b: One effective method for collecting data on the relationship between weight and
launch distance is through an experimental approach. To begin, the student may conduct three
trials using a catapult to launch objects of varying weights (50 g, 100 g, and 200 g) and measure
their respective launch distances. This approach allows for the independent variable, weight, to
have multiple levels, providing a more comprehensive understanding of its impact on launch
distance. To accurately collect the data, the student should set up a catapult with a basket
attachment and measure the distance from the launch point to the object's landing point using
a measuring tape. The recorded data, including the weight of the object and its corresponding
launch distance, should be organized in a table for thorough analysis. By plotting the weight (in
11/11/24 For more free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed resources visit OpenStax.org. 2
