In an attempt to reduce the use of gasoline, a city imposed a $2.50 per gallon tax on gasoline in 2010. A researcher working for the city located data on annual gallons used for the five years leading up to the gas tax (to provide a baseline) and located data for the five years after the start of the gasoline tax (to show the consumption pattern after the tax). Which of the following best describes this study design?
A) A-B-A-B design
B) Changing-criterion design
C) Interrupted time-series design
D) Regression-discontinuity design

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study design is an interrupted time-series design because it involves observing the same variable (gasoline consumption) over time, with an intervention (the gas tax) occurring at a specific point, allowing for the analysis of changes in the trend before and after the intervention.

In an Attempt to Reduce the Use of Gasoline, a City