Alan wants to conduct an experiment to determine whether a new medication is effective in reducing coughing. Explain to Alan the best sampling method, what statistics he should study, and what conclusions he can draw from the experiment.

Question

thesecret20111 · Answer

I think you need to chose out of these three sampling methods:

- Systematic sample (a system is used to choose those who are to
be in the sample.)

- Stratified sample (those sampled are chosen in proportion to the
entire population)

- Random sample (chance is the only factor in deciding who is
surveyed. This is best done using a random number generator.)

What do you think would be best to use?

anonymous · Answer

Systematic sample?

thesecret20111 · Answer

A common example of systematic sampling is in quality controlling at a factory, where they will perhaps test every 200th item produced. If this method was used to test the effectiveness of the cough medicine its possible that they might only choose patients with or without the cough.

thesecret20111 · Answer

The effectiveness of the medicine is probably dependent on age. So a stratified sample representing people from all different age groups would probably be best.

anonymous · Answer

pie chart