Determine whether the study is an observational study or an experiment. Explain. A research study compared the memory retention of subjects when a learning activity was followed by a brief period of wakeful rest and when a learnir activity was followed by a brief period of distraction. The study is an experiment, observational,

This study is an experiment because it involves the manipulation of an independent variable—whether the subjects experienced a period of wakeful rest or distraction after the learning activity. The researchers are actively changing the conditions under which the subjects learn and measuring the outcome, which is memory retention. This contrasts with observational studies that simply observe and record outcomes without manipulation. In the realm of research, experiments allow researchers to draw cause-and-effect conclusions, giving them stronger insights into how different factors influence outcomes. By systematically comparing the two conditions, the study can provide valuable insights into how rest versus distraction affects memory retention, crucial for educational strategies and cognitive psychology.