Identify each of the following situations as having independent or paired (match
ID: 3352674 • Letter: I
Question
Identify each of the following situations as having independent or paired (matched) samples. Circle your choice.
a) In a pediatric clinic a study is carried out to see how effective aspirin is in reducing temperature. Twelve 5-year-old children diagnosed with influenza had their temperatures taken before and 1 hour after administration of aspirin. The researchers want to test the hypothesis that aspirin is effective in reducing the temperature. Independent/Paired
b) A hypothesis of ongoing clinical interest is that vitamin C prevents the common cold. A study is organized to test this hypothesis using 20 prisoners as participants. In the study, 10 subjects are randomly allocated to receive vitamin C capsules and 10 are randomly allocated to receive placebo capsules. The number of colds over a 12-month period for each participant is noted. The researchers wish to test the hypothesis that vitamin C prevents the common cold. Independent/Paired
c) The degree of clinical agreement among different physicians on the presence or absence of generalized lymph-adenopathy was assessed in 32 randomly selected participants from a prospective study of male sexual contacts of men with AIDS or an AIDS-related condition. The total number of palpable lymph nodes for each participant was assessed by each of two physicians. The researchers want to test if there is a systematic difference between the assessment of Doctor A versus Doctor B. Independent/Paired
d) A possible important environmental determinant of lung function in children is the level of cigarette smoke in the home. Suppose this question is studied by selecting two groups: Group 1 consists of 23 nonsmoking children 5-9 years of age, both of whose parents smoke; Group 2 consists of 20 nonsmoking children 5-9 years of age, neither of whose parents smoke. Independent/Paired
Explanation / Answer
a) Sample has been taken before and after so Paired sample.
b) Both samples are randomly selected so independent sample.
c) Each participants was assessed by two doctors so paired sample.
d) Both samples are randomly selected so independent sample.