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Computer programmers employed by a software developer were asked to participate in a month-long training seminar. During the seminar, each employee was asked to record the number of hours spent in class preparation each week. After completing the seminar, the productivity level of each participant was measured. A positive linear statistical relationship between participants' productivity levels and time spent in class preparation was found. The seminar leader concluded that increases in employee productivity are caused by increased class preparation time. a. Were the data used by the seminar leader observational or experimental data? b. Comment on the validity of the conclusion reached by the seminar leader.

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Step-by-step explanation:

Given that computer programmers employed by a software developer were asked to participate in a month-long training seminar

During the seminar, each employee was asked to record the number of hours spent in class preparation each week

thus actual observations were made and recorded.

a) The data used by the seminar leader is observational data

Given that a positive linear statistical relationship between participants' productivity levels and time spent in class preparation was found.

This definitely shows a linear relationship between the hours spent on training and the productivity.  But what is ignored is the confounding variable.  May be the employees are bored with continuous work so training was a break and hence productivity might have improved.  Thus instead of training even other entertainments or break would have caused increase in productivity

b) Confounding variables or factors which affect the result were ignored completely.

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