Process of Science: Assume We Have Data Indicating a Strong

question 14

Multiple Choice

Process of Science: Assume we have data indicating a strong positive correlation between acupuncture treatments and recovery of patients from,say,cocaine addiction.However,let's also assume that every hypothesis we have for a mechanism of action (i.e. ,how acupuncture could work to help cure addiction) can be shown to be false.The patients,however,all claim to know that the acupuncture is what cured them.Which of the following conclusions are supported by our data?
-Could acupuncture be responsible for the patients' recovery?

• A)No.If there is no plausible mechanism of action,then clearly acupuncture cannot be responsible for their healing.
• B)Yes.Just because we don't understand the mechanism doesn't mean the process does not occur.
• C)No.Acupuncture is not accepted by most medical doctors,therefore it isn't effective.
• D)Yes.If the patients got better,then the acupuncture must be effective.

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Definitions:

Alternative Hypotheses

The hypothesis that proposes a different conclusion from the null hypothesis, often suggesting a new effect or relationship.

Population Means

The average value of a particular characteristic across all members of a population, often denoted by μ.

Z-test

A Z-test is a statistical test used to determine whether two population means are different when the variances are known and the sample size is large.

Population Means

The average of a set of measurements, scores, or values for the entire population.