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- Tue May 03, 2016 11:31 am
#23858
Complete Question Explanation
Resolve the Paradox. The correct answer choice is (D)
A study of 50 chronic insomniacs reveals peculiar results. Even though half of them were given a new drug and the other half were given a placebo, both groups reported similar results: even though their symptoms were relieved at first, the problem came back three weeks later. Because there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between the subjects in both groups, it is reasonable to conclude that the new drug was no more effective than a placebo. Even so, it is unclear why both groups reported relief for the first two weeks but not in the third. To be correct, the answer must explain the outcome of the study in both the actual and the control group.
Answer choice (A): While this answer choice explains why the subjects who were given the new drug claimed that their insomnia had returned during the third week of the study, it is still unclear why the placebo group reported similar results during the first two weeks of the study, or why their symptoms returned three weeks later. The correct answer choice must explain both outcomes, not just one of them.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice does not explain why the symptoms of insomnia returned during the third week of the study in both groups.
Answer choice (C): If the new drug is similar to another drug that is also ineffective, it is reasonable to expect that any relief obtained will not last for very long. However, this answer choice explains neither the similar result in the control group during the first two weeks of the study, nor the return of their symptoms three weeks later.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the new drug has no effect on an insomniac’s ability to sleep better, no wonder both groups reported similar results. Furthermore, if most insomniacs sleep better in a new environment, this explains both why the two groups reported relief during the first two weeks, and why they experienced a relapse once the “novelty factor” of their environment has worn off.
Answer choice (E): Just because the results from the study are not 100% reliable does not mean we can fully explain them. This answer choice gives no indication as to what caused the initial success in both groups, nor does it explain why insomnia returned during the third week of the study. The overlap in outcome for both groups is too significant to be a matter of coincidence in incorrect self-evaluation.
Resolve the Paradox. The correct answer choice is (D)
A study of 50 chronic insomniacs reveals peculiar results. Even though half of them were given a new drug and the other half were given a placebo, both groups reported similar results: even though their symptoms were relieved at first, the problem came back three weeks later. Because there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between the subjects in both groups, it is reasonable to conclude that the new drug was no more effective than a placebo. Even so, it is unclear why both groups reported relief for the first two weeks but not in the third. To be correct, the answer must explain the outcome of the study in both the actual and the control group.
Answer choice (A): While this answer choice explains why the subjects who were given the new drug claimed that their insomnia had returned during the third week of the study, it is still unclear why the placebo group reported similar results during the first two weeks of the study, or why their symptoms returned three weeks later. The correct answer choice must explain both outcomes, not just one of them.
Answer choice (B): This answer choice does not explain why the symptoms of insomnia returned during the third week of the study in both groups.
Answer choice (C): If the new drug is similar to another drug that is also ineffective, it is reasonable to expect that any relief obtained will not last for very long. However, this answer choice explains neither the similar result in the control group during the first two weeks of the study, nor the return of their symptoms three weeks later.
Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice. If the new drug has no effect on an insomniac’s ability to sleep better, no wonder both groups reported similar results. Furthermore, if most insomniacs sleep better in a new environment, this explains both why the two groups reported relief during the first two weeks, and why they experienced a relapse once the “novelty factor” of their environment has worn off.
Answer choice (E): Just because the results from the study are not 100% reliable does not mean we can fully explain them. This answer choice gives no indication as to what caused the initial success in both groups, nor does it explain why insomnia returned during the third week of the study. The overlap in outcome for both groups is too significant to be a matter of coincidence in incorrect self-evaluation.