> this is just a dumb study and I’m not sure exactly what their objective was in doing it <
The study was done by university researchers. Those folks have to churn out “research” to keep their jobs, and to keep the grant money coming in.
So I guess late one afternoon the group leader said, “We’re almost out of time. We better come up with something. How about researching angry parakeets? Or maybe drunks who smile at work.”
Publish or perish!
I think you got it! Definitely publish or perish material.