Suppose That Two Experiments Were Conducted to Assess the Effect

question 19

Essay

Suppose that two experiments were conducted to assess the effect of a new insect repellant. In Experiment A, a simple random sample was taken from the population of River City. In Experiment B, a simple random sample from a group of volunteers from the population of River City was used. The results of the experiments were the same: fewer insects landed on the arms that had been treated with the insect repellant. The volunteers were randomly assigned to the two treatments in both experiments. (a) For each experiment, A and B, discuss whether one can legitimately infer a cause-and-effect relation between the use of the repellant and fewer insects landing from each of these experiments? Why or why not? (b) For each experiment, A and B, discuss whether one can legitimately generalize to the population of River City from each of these experiments? Why or why not?

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Definitions:

Terminal Decline

The phenomenon of accelerated deterioration of cognitive and physical function closely preceding death.

Mental Ability

Refers to the capacity to perform cognitive tasks, solve problems, and learn from experience, often assessed through intelligence tests.

Death

The cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism.

Heart Disease

Heart disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure.