(Question 1) Lab vs Field vs Quasi-experiment

Each part below describes a research design. For each design, state whether it is a

lab, field, or quasi-experiment. Defend your answer with an explanation.

(Study A)

Logitech is a company that sells electronic hardware for teleconferencing (i.e.,

webcams, headsets, microphones, etc). The company is interested in the

optimal location of its shopping cart icon and how it affects sales. Currently the

shopping cart icon is in the top right corner of the company's website (see

below). Suppose analysts at Logitech observe online sales for one week among

two random groups of online shoppers. In a following week, website developers

move the shopping cart icon to the top left corner for a new random group of

online shoppers while keeping it in the initial spot (top right) for a separate

random group of shoppers. Logitech wants to analyze data from this two-week

period to learn if the shopping cart's location matters.

(Study B)

The Hershey Company conducts taste-testing studies at its amusement park in

Pennsylvania, which is called Hershey Park. People who attend the amusement

park can volunteer to participate in a taste test. Last week, a large group of

volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups. In both groups, participants

were given three different chocolate bars without any wrappers or packaging in

an initial round of the taste test. In a second round, one group was given the

same chocolate bars again without wrappers/packaging while the other group

was given the same chocolate bars with brand wrappers/packaging. During both

rounds, participants were provided a survey questionnaire in which they rated the

quality of each chocolate bar. The Hershey Company wants to see if the

wrappers/packaging had a positive effect on ratings of perceived quality.

Design C)

For many years, public-sector employers (i.e., federal or state government

agencies) had the legal option to give preference to military veterans in hiring

decisions while being exempt from any lawsuits related to hiring discrimination.

Within the last ten years, individual state legislatures have gradually passed laws

that also allow private-sector businesses to give preference to job applicants who

are military veterans. Currently, some states passed these "Veterans'

Preference Laws" while other states have not. A veterans' organization wants to

study if these laws increase the likelihood of private-sector employment and the

level of private-sector wages among military veterans.

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