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A certain bon vivant, wishing to ascertain the cause of his frequent hangovers,

ID: 2958326 • Letter: A

Question

A certain bon vivant, wishing to ascertain the cause of his frequent hangovers, conducted the following experiment. On the first night, he drank nothing but whiskey and water; on the second night he drank vodka and water; on the third night he drank gin and water; and on the fourth night he drank rum and water. On each of the following mornings he had a hangover, and he concluded that it was the common factor, the water, that made him ill.

a) What principles of sound experimentation are being violated
b) Give a less obvious example of an experiment having the same shortcoming

Explanation / Answer

On the first night, he drank nothing but whiskey and water; on the second night he drank vodka and water; on the third night he drank gin and water; and on the fourth night he drank rum and water. a) What principles of sound experimentation are being violated * There is no randomization * There is no control group. * Mulitple variables are being manipulated at one time. The sun rose each morning, but that was not the cause of hangover either b) Give a less obvious example of an experiment having the same shortcoming . Someone travels to Africa and South America, and catches diarrhea both times. The malaria must be caused by drinking unfiltered water. Perhaps, but not proven.

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