The Good heart study is evaluating the relationship between a new miracle drug a

Question

The Good heart study is evaluating the relationship between a new miracle drug and heart disease. Two hundred participants are divided into 2 equal groups. Identical looking pills are administered to all participants. Group 1 received 2 tablets of the miracle drug per day and group 2 receives 2 placebo tablets per day. After one month, half the subjects in group 1 have blood cholesterol levels at or below the recommended levels. In group 2, 49 subjects have blood cholesterol levels at or less than the recommendations.

(a) Is the study blinded?
(b) Does the miracle drug lower cholesterol?
(c) What changes would you make to better control the study?

Explanation / Answer

a) No, the scientists who take the measure measurements (blood cholesterol) know which treatment they are measuring which influences the data. b) The study doesn't take into account that starting levels but rather only whether or not they are under a specific guideline. This makes it impossible to tell whether to participants actually improved. c) Split the people into the two groups randomly. Do not allow the scientist to know which measurements are being taken. (This means one person will administer, a separate will measure.) Record the starting levels and report findings based on a percentage lowered rather than just whether or not they are under the recommended.

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