Question

Applying Guidelines. In the exercises below, determine which of the eight guidelines for evaluating

statistical studies appears to be most relevant. Explain your reasoning.

1). A drug company holds a press conference to announce that its new drug for helping people quit

smoking is effective because 35 of 80 people given the drug were still abstinent from smoking after four

weeks, compared to 32 of 80 people given a placebo.

2). A researcher develops a gasoline additive that is intended to improve gas mileage. Twenty Ford sedans

using the additive average 28 MPG over a 100-mile course, whereas twenty Chevy sedans without the

additive average 24 MPG. The research concludes that the additive is effective.

3). Podunk University’s Student Health Service is concerned about promiscuity and sexually transmitted

diseases among the student body. They decide to do an in-person, face-to-face survey of the students in

the dorms about how many sexual partners they have had this school year.

Answer 1

1. The statistical studies done by the drug company appears to be more relevant.

According to the study a sample of 80 smokers are given the new drug whereas another 80 smokers are given a placebo.

Now 35 of 80 smokers who received the new medicine are still abstinent from smoking whereas 32 of 80 who were given placebo are abstinent from smoking.

this clearly shows that the new drug has worked well.