1.3 Forming RQs

A cafe owner doesn't believe that his customers can taste the difference between diet and regular colas. As a result, the cafe owner decides to conduct a study of his customers.

Two RQs that the cafe owner is considering are given below. Which do you prefer, and why?
1. Among my customers, is the average customer-taste rating (on a five-point scale) the same for diet and regular cola drinks?
2. Among my customers, is the percentage of customers who prefer diet cola drinks the same as the percentage of customers who prefer regular cola drinks?
Make notes about how the cafe owner could answer the question using an observational study.

What would be the best type of observational study: using a forward direction (cohort study), a backward direction (case-control study), or non-directional (cross sectional)?
Make notes about how the cafe owner could answer the question using an experimental study.
What would be the best type of experimental study: true or quasi?
List some advantages and disadvantages of the experimental and observational studies.
List some similarities and differences between the two studies.

Which do you think would be the better study? Why?