For each of the following study descriptions, report on: • whether the study is

Question

For each of the following study descriptions, report on: • whether the study is an observational study or experimental study, • whether the samples are paired or independent, and • all statistical tests that might reasonably be applied to address the research question of interest. Justify your answers

(a) The lung function of 79 children with a history of hospitalization for whooping cough and 179 children without a history of whooping cough, taken from the same school classes, is measured. A researcher is interested in whether there is a difference in lung function between the two groups.

(b) Individuals are assigned to one of three exercise programs and followed for several months. Researchers are interested in whether the completion rates for the different programs are the same.

(c) Twenty arthritis patients are given either a new drug or aspirin on successive days in random order. The grip strength of the patients was then measured. Researchers would like to know if the new drug improves grip strength.

Explanation / Answer

a.) Observational study

   Reason observational study draws conclusion by comparing subjects, in cases where the researcher has no control over the experiment. Here, the researcher do not have a control over the students who have lung infection.

   Independent samples

   Reason in a paired sample, the participants share every characteristic except the one under investigation. Here the students may or may not have every chatacteristic in common.

b.) Experimental study

. Reason in this case researcher has a control over the experiment as to who shall be assigned to which exercise.

   Independent Samples

     Reason Because individuals are chosen at random.

c.)   Experimental study

. Reason researcher has a control over the experiment as to which patient shall be assigned what drug.

   Paired Samples

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