A Researcher Investigated Whether Following a Vegetarian Diet Could Help

question 71

Essay

A researcher investigated whether following a vegetarian diet could help to reduce blood pressure. For a
sample of 85 people who followed a vegetarian diet for 4 months, the mean systolic blood pressure was
124 mmHg and for a sample of 75 people who followed a nonvegetarian diet for 4 months, the mean systolic
blood pressure was 138 mmHg. Methods of statistics show that if a vegetarian diet had no effect on blood
pressure, there would be less than 1 chance in a 100 of getting these results. Does the result have statistical
significance? Why or why not? Does the result have practical significance?

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Definitions:

Bonds

Fixed-income investments representing loans made by an investor to a borrower, typically corporate or governmental.

Real Rate Of Return

The annual rate of return on an investment, adjusted for inflation, reflecting the actual purchasing power of the earnings.

Quoted Price

The stated price at which an asset or service can be bought or sold in the market.

Semi-Annual Interest

Interest on a loan or investment calculated twice a year.