Question

a researcher wants to explore the relationship between the following two variables, weight 1 and weight 2.

in preparing for a balsa wood bridge challenge, students weighed (in g) a random sample of five balsa wood designs and recorded these data as weight 1. they also recorded the maximum weight (in kg) that the bridge could support. if the students want to know if there is an association between the weight of the bridge (in g) and the maximum weight supported (in kg), which of the following is the appropriate inference method to analyze these data?
a. two independent samples
b. inference for regression
c. matched pairs

Explanation:

• Two - independent - samples: This method is used to compare the means of two independent groups. Here, we are not comparing means of two independent groups but looking for an association between two variables (weight of bridge and maximum weight supported).
• Inference for regression: Regression analysis is used to explore the relationship (association) between a dependent variable (maximum weight supported) and an independent variable (weight of the bridge). It can model how one variable changes with respect to the other.
• Matched - pairs: This is used when we have paired data (e.g., before - and - after measurements on the same subjects). The data here is not in a paired - comparison (like before - improvement and after - improvement) but rather two different variables (weight of bridge and its load - bearing capacity) for the same bridges.

Answer:

B. Inference for regression