Question

The following appeared in a health newsletter.
"Nosinia is an herb that many users report to be as effective as prescription medications at fighting allergy symptoms. Researchers recently compared Nosinia to a placebo in 95 men and women with seasonal allergies to ragweed pollen. Participants in the study reported that neither Nosinia nor the placebo offered significant relief. However, for the most severe allergy symptoms, the researchers reported that Nosinia was more effective than the placebo in providing relief. Furthermore, at the end of the study, participants given Nosinia were more likely than participants given a placebo to report feeling healthier. We, therefore, recommend using Nosinia to help with your severe allergy symptoms."

• A. How reliable is the study's sample size?
• B. How does the severity of symptoms affect the results?
• C. Was the placebo truly effective in reducing allergy symptoms?
• D. Is there any independent evidence for Nosinia’s effectiveness?

Hint:

When evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment, consider the sample size and other methodological factors to ensure the study’s results are statistically significant.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Evaluate the sample size.
The validity of the study results depends heavily on the sample size. A sample size of 95 people may not be large enough to make strong conclusions about the effectiveness of Nosinia. A larger sample could provide more reliable results and minimize the effect of outliers.
Step 2: Consider other variables.
In addition to sample size, it is crucial to examine other factors like the duration of the study and how the severity of allergy symptoms affected the results. The effectiveness of the herb might be more pronounced in people with severe allergies, which could explain the reported improvement.
Step 3: Conclusion.
By answering these questions, the reliability of the study's findings could be properly assessed, and more rigorous conclusions could be drawn about the effectiveness of Nosinia.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{How reliable is the study's sample size?}} \]