The article "Walking Dogs Is Sending Older People to the ER, Study Says" describes a study that analyzed data from
hospital emergency departments throughout the United States from 2004 to 2017. The researchers found over
32,000 cases of fractures among people 65 and older that were associated with walking dogs. They also found that
these cases were becoming more frequent over time. Indicate whether the study is an observational study or an
experiment. Give a brief explanation for your choice.
This is an experiment because the researchers obtained data gathered by hospital emergency
departments.
This is an observational study because the researchers analyzed data from hospital emergency
departments. No older people were assigned treatments.
This is an experiment because all subjects were adults 65 and older. The only difference in the groups is if
the subject was walking a dog.
This is an observational study because the researchers administered a survey to older adults, but they
were not assigned treatments.
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This is an observational study because the researchers analyzed data from hospital emergency departments. They did not assign treatments to older people or manipulate any variables. They simply observed and analyzed the data that was already collected from the hospital emergency departments.