Little Learnersplay. practice. discover.Grade 12 · Reading & language
Identify the particular inference limited by a study design, sample, measurement or missing data without dismissing all evidence.
8 authored questions + worked example
A study randomly assigns 40 volunteers from one club to two map designs. It compares their wrong turns on one indoor route.
Answer: The better design must work best for every traveler on every outdoor route.
Random assignment helps the within-study comparison but does not make one club and route represent every setting.
All 8 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
A survey is translated between rounds. One round asks about any visit; the other asks only about visits longer than an hour.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: The two rounds define the measured event differently.
A changed event definition can alter responses even without a real behavioral change.
Question 2
An instrument records temperatures in a controlled room. Its calibration record later shows a consistent +2°C offset during every measurement.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: A systematic offset in the measured temperatures.
A shared calibration bias is not removed simply by repeating and averaging the same biased measurements.
Question 3
A study randomly assigns 40 volunteers from one club to two map designs. It compares their wrong turns on one indoor route.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: The better design must work best for every traveler on every outdoor route.
Random assignment helps the within-study comparison but does not make one club and route represent every setting.
Question 4
A one-day survey finds that people who cycle more also report better sleep. It measures both at the same time and assigns no activity.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: The survey alone cannot establish whether cycling caused the sleep difference.
A simultaneous observational association does not isolate direction or other contributing factors.
Question 5
A laboratory test uses identical lighting and timed instructions. A field test uses busy stations with changing light and noise.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: The laboratory controls more conditions; the field test samples more everyday variation.
Control and resemblance to variable everyday conditions are distinct design strengths.
Question 6
A pilot study interviews six volunteers about a new timetable. The report describes their experiences and does not estimate a population percentage.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: Use the interviews to examine these experiences and develop questions for broader study.
The interviews can inform understanding without establishing population prevalence.
Question 7
A trial aims to study understanding but measures only how many times a button is clicked. No comprehension check is included.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: Click counts alone do not establish how well participants understood.
The recorded behavior is a proxy, not a direct measure of the stated understanding goal.
Question 8
Two groups begin a trial equally sized. Most final records from one group are missing, and the report analyzes only completed records.
Match the proposed conclusion to the actual participants, measures and comparisons; a limitation narrows an inference rather than automatically erasing every result.
Answer: Whether the missing records are related to outcomes or group membership.
Uneven or outcome-related missingness can change which participants remain in the comparison.