Data Collection and Conclusion
Data Collection and Conclusion
What are data collection and conclusion problems, and how frequently do they appear on
the test?
We routinely conduct research to answer questions such as "how many residents are in
favor of a new law" or "is a new medical treatment effective?" While research results can
give us powerful insights, we must carefully consider how the research is conducted, which
in turn affects what conclusions can be drawn.
For example:
● If a survey was given to individuals of one ethnicity, then the results of the survey are
not representative of individuals of other ethnicities.
● If a medical treatment is effective when tested on mice, we cannot conclude that the
treatment is just as effective on humans without additional testing.
On your official SAT, you'll likely see 1 question that tests your understanding of data
collection methods as well as survey and experiment results.
Sample surveys
We can draw conclusions about only the population from which the random sample was
selected.
Controlled experiments
To understand the conclusions we can draw from controlled experiments, we must first
understand the difference between correlation and causation.
● Correlation means there is a relationship or pattern between the values of two
variables.
● Causation means that one event causes another event to occur.
You may have learned about controlled experiments and the scientific method in more detail
in your science classes. For the SAT, the key takeaway is that a control group is needed to
establish a causal relationship.
Example:
Answer: C
Answer: A
Answer: C