Researchers conducted a study to determine whether magnets are effective in treating back pain. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale, and the results given below are among the results obtained in the study. Higher scores correspond to greater pain levels. Is this study an experiment or an observational study?Explain Reduction in Pain Level After Magnet Treatment: n=20,bar (x)=0.486,s=0.959 Reduction in Pain Level After Sham Treatment: n=20,bar (x)=0.444,s=1.42 Choose the correct answer below A. The study is an observational study because the subjects are a simple random sample B. The study is an experiment because the subjects are a systematic sample. C. The study is an observational study because there was no attempt to modify the individuals being studied. D. The study is an experiment because subjects were given treatments.

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Researchers conducted a study to determine whether magnets are effective in treating back pain. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale, and the results given below are among the results obtained in the study. Higher scores correspond to greater pain levels. Is this study an experiment or an observational study?Explain Reduction in Pain Level After Magnet Treatment: n=20,bar (x)=0.486,s=0.959 Reduction in Pain Level After Sham Treatment: n=20,bar (x)=0.444,s=1.42 Choose the correct answer below A. The study is an observational study because the subjects are a simple random sample B. The study is an experiment because the subjects are a systematic sample. C. The study is an observational study because there was no attempt to modify the individuals being studied. D. The study is an experiment because subjects were given treatments.

Answer 1

### D. The study is an experiment because subjects were given treatments.

Answer 2

## Step 1: Identifying Key Features of the Study### The researchers applied two different treatments: magnet treatment and sham treatment. This manipulation of conditions indicates a controlled experiment rather than a passive observation.## Step 2: Differentiating Between Experiment and Observational Study### In an experiment, researchers manipulate a variable (the treatment) and observe its effect on another variable (pain level). In an observational study, researchers merely observe characteristics without intervention. Since the researchers actively administered treatments, this study is an experiment.

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