Researchers wanted to compare two drugs, for-moterol and salbutamol, in aerosol solution, for the treatment of patients who suffer from exercise-induced asthma. Patients were to take a drug, do some exercise, and then have their "forced expiratory volume" measured. There were 30 subjects available.
(a) Should this be an experiment or an observational study? Why?
(b) Within the context of this setting, what is the placebo effect?