Rust Away is a new chemical agent designed to prevent rusting on metallic goods like bicycles, household sinks, and pipes. The manufacturer performs some tests to determine whether Rust Away does prevent rusting. The manufacturer puts 150 metallic plates into three groups of 50. The first group is left as it is. The second group receives a thin layer of Rust Away. The third group receives a thick layer of Rust Away. Each plate is then exposed to conditions that have been designed to induce rusting. The level of rusting in each plate is recorded. The method of data collection in this situation is an:a) expirmentb) observational study

The method of data collection in this situation is an a) experiment study.

Step-by-step explanation:

Consider the provided information.

Observational study: In this study observer only observe the subjects, and measure variables of interest without allocating treatments to subjects.

Experiment study: The researchers are applying treatments to experimental units in the research, then the effect of the treatments on the experimental units is observed.

Here the manufacturer apply treatment and observe the effect of "Rust Away" (chemical agent) on metallic goods.

The study is controlled so that manufacturer understand cause-and-effect of new chemical agent.

Hence, the method of data collection in this situation is an a) experiment study.