A study question tests what you can infer when researchers compare groups and track more than one result. First, read what the blank asks you to infer, then name each group and what was changed. Compare the results and separate what differed from what stayed the same. A feature shared by both groups can’t explain a difference between them. Then predict the smallest conclusion that covers all the measured results, without adding claims the study didn’t test.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look for what each aisle’s speakers played, and check which other features of the aisles were kept alike.
- Hint 2
Compare browsing time and sales for the two aisles. What do both results suggest about the feature the psychologist changed?
Step-by-step
Use the difference between the aisles
Step 1Find the tested difference
The psychologist used two nearly identical supermarket aisles that sold the same products, which helps us infer what changing the music did. What differed between the aisles? One played slow-tempo instrumental music, and the other played fast-tempo instrumental music, so tempo, or music speed, was the tested difference.
- Step 2
Compare both results
How long did shoppers stay, and how much did they buy? Shoppers stayed an average of six minutes with slow music versus only two minutes with fast music. Daily sales in the slow-music aisle were roughly 30 percent higher, so both browsing time and sales were higher with slow music.
- Step 3
Keep the conclusion small
Higher daily sales from the slow-music aisle mean more buying, so the result goes beyond browsing time. How far can we take that result? The trials support a possible benefit of slow music, not a guarantee for every supermarket. The choice using can increase both covers the gains in browsing and buying without promising that they’ll happen every time. Choice D.