Chapter 2: Problem 41
Explain why blinding is a reasonable strategy in many experiments.
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Chapter 2: Problem 41
Explain why blinding is a reasonable strategy in many experiments.
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A study of more than 50,000 U.S. nurses found that those who drank just one soda or fruit punch a day tended to gain much more weight and had an \(80 \%\) increased risk in developing diabetes compared to those who drank less than one a month. (The Washington Post, August 25,2004). "The message is clear..... Anyone who cares about their health or the health of their family would not consume these beverages" said Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health who helped conduct the study. The sugar and beverage industries said that the study was fundamentally flawed. "These allegations are inflammatory. Women who drink a lot of soda may simply have generally unhealthy lifestyles" said Richard Adamson of the American Beverage Association. a. Do you think that the study described was an observational study or an experiment? b. Is it reasonable to conclude that drinking soda or fruit punch causes the observed increased risk of diabetes? Why or why not?
An article from the Associated Press (May 14,2002 ) led with the headline "Academic Success Lowers Pregnancy Risk." The article described an evaluation of a program that involved about 350 students at 18 Seattle schools in high crime areas. Some students took part in a program beginning in elementary school in which teachers showed children how to control their impulses, recognize the feelings of others, and get what they want without aggressive behavior. Others did not participate in the program. The study concluded that the program was effective because by the time young women in the program reached age 21 , the pregnancy rate among them was \(38 \%\), compared to \(56 \%\) for the women in the experiment who did not take part in the program. Explain why this conclusion is valid only if the women in the experiment were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental groups.
A manufacturer of clay roofing tiles would like to investigate the effect of clay type on the proportion of tiles that crack in the kiln during firing. Two different types of clay are to be considered. One hundred tiles can be placed in the kiln at any one time. Firing temperature varies slightly at different locations in the kiln, and firing temperature may also affect cracking. Discuss the design of an experiment to collect information that could be used to decide between the two clay types. How does your proposed design deal with the extraneous factor temperature?
A recent survey attempted to address psychosocial factors thought to be of importance in preventive health care for adolescents ("The Adolescent Health Review: A Brief Multidimensional Screening Instrument"' Journal of Adolescent Health [2001]: \(131-139\) ). For each risk area in the following list, construct a question that would be comprehensible to students in grades \(9-12\) and that would provide information about the risk factor. Make your questions multiple-choice, and provide possible responses. a. Lack of exercise b. Poor nutrition c. Emotional distress d. Sexual activity e. Cigarette smoking f. Alcohol use
"More than half of California's doctors say they are so frustrated with managed care they will quit, retire early, or leave the state within three years." This conclusion from an article titled "Doctors Feeling Pessimistic, Study Finds" (San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 15,2001 ) was based on a mail survey conducted by the California Medical Association. Surveys were mailed to 19,000 California doctors, and 2000 completed surveys were returned. Describe any concerns you have regarding the conclusion drawn.
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