Kira looked through online census information to determine the average number of people living in the homes in her city. What is true about Kira’s data collection? Kira used an observational study where the data is quantitative. Kira used published data that is quantitative
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Kira used published data that is quantitative.
Explanation:
Kira did not collect new data through surveys, experiments, or direct observation. Instead, she looked up online census information, which means she relied on data that was already gathered, organized, and published by a trusted source, such as a government agency. This kind of data is referred to as published data.
The information Kira was seeking was the average number of people living in homes, which involves numerical values (like 2.7 people per household). Because the values represent quantities that can be counted or measured, they are known as quantitative data.
Let us clarify some important concepts to support the reasoning:
- Published data is data that already exists in official records, reports, or databases. Researchers or individuals use this data to perform further analysis without conducting their own primary data collection.
- Quantitative data deals with numbers and can be measured mathematically. It includes things like age, height, number of people, or income.
- Observational studies involve collecting data by watching or recording information directly, but without interfering. Kira did not conduct such a study herself.
So, Kira’s work involved analyzing existing numerical information from a public source, which confirms that the data she used was published and quantitative.
This kind of data collection is efficient, saves time, and is commonly used in many types of research, especially when reliable, government-sourced information like a census is available. However, since Kira is not collecting the data herself, she must be cautious about understanding how the data was collected to ensure that it is accurate and up to date.
