A study was conducted by Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. to measure the adverse side effects of Allegra™, a drug used for the treatment of seasonal allergies. A sample of 679 allergy sufferers in the United States was given 60 mg amounts of the drug twice a day. The patients were to report whether or not they experienced relief from their allergies as well as any adverse side effects (viral infection, nausea, drowsiness, etc.). Source: Good Housekeeping, February 2005
a. What was the population being studied?
b. What was the sample?
c. What were the characteristics of interest about each element in the population?
d. Were the data being collected qualitative or quantitative?