Question

In a research study, a group of medical researchers tested whether Botox can be used to reduce shoulder pain. A total of 43 patients suffering from shoulder pain participated in the study. A researcher randomly assigned 21 of the patients to receive a Botox injection. The other 22 patients received an injection of saline (salt water). None of the patients knew the type of injection they received. One month later, patients were asked if they had a significant reduction in pain.

1. Is this an observational study, or an experiment? Explain your answer.

2. What is the explanatory variable? Is it quantitative, or qualitative?

3. What is the response variable? Is it quantitative, or qualitative?

4. Is there a placebo in this study? If so, what is the placebo?

5. Is this a blind study? Is it double-blind? 6.

Can the researchers claim that the treatment causes the pain reduction? Explain why or why

Answer 1

Q1. This is an experiment study. Since we are injection Botox injection and injection of saline in to the patient who are suffering from shoulder pain.

Q2. Different kinds of injection (Botox injection and injection of saline) are the explanatory variable.

Q3. Shoulder pain is the response variable.

Q4. A medicine or procedure prescribed for the psychological benefit to the patient rather than for any physiological effect is placebo. No placebo in the study.

Q5. this is a blind study. In a blind study, the participants in the clinical trial do not know if they are receiving any treatment while as double-blind both the participants and the experimenters do not know which group got the experimental treatment.

Q6. With out response from the patient how they have felt after receiving the treatment. The researcher can not decide whether treatment causes the reduction in shoulder pain.