Question

Based on observing more than 500 drivers in the Atlanta area, two investigators at Georgia State University concluded that people exiting parking spaces did so more slowly when a driver in another car was waiting for the space than when no one was waiting. Imagine that you design an experiment to determine whether this phenomenon is true for your city.

a) What are possible extraneous factors? (Select all that apply.)

The mileage of the cars.

Location of the parking spaces.

The color of the cars.

Normal driving behaviors of individuals.

Time of day.

Answer 1

Ans :  

The mileage of the cars.

Location of the parking spaces.

The color of the cars.

Normal driving behaviors of individuals.

Time of day.

Explanation :

Two variables of interest are : 1. Exit speed from parking space. 2. Existence of another car in the waiting list at parking space.

So any other factor that can impact the exit speed from parking space other than the existence of car in waiting, should be regarded as extraneous factor.

So, Clearly "Normal driving behaviors" is a factor that will impact exit speed because if by default, the person is used to driving slow, he/she may do so when some other car is in waiting.

"Time of day" also is one factor that impact the exit speed because may be during morning hours, people exiting the parking space may drive slowly regardless whether there is some car waiting or not.

"Color of cars" can also impact exit speed, since if the person exiting wants to look at the colors of the cars parked in the parking space he will drive slowly.

"Mileage of cars" also has impact on exit speed since if one wants to reduce fuel consumption of one's car, then he would prefer to have low exit speed.

"Location of parking space" also has impact on exit speed since if the parking space is located near a busy downtown region then one would be little safe while exiting the space.