Ascorbic acid reduces goat stress. Goats that are transported long distances for slaughter or market often lose weight due to stress. The Animal Science Journal (May 2014) investigated the use of ascorbic acid (AA) to reduce the stress in goats during transportation. Twenty-four healthy Boer goats were used in the experiment. The goats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) LO4 of six animals each. Goats in group A were administered a dosage of AA 30 minutes prior to transportation; goats in group B were administered a dosage of AA 30 minutes following transportation; group C goats were not given any AA prior to or following transportation; and goats in group D were not given any AA and were not transported.

Weight was measured before and after transportation and the weight loss (in kilograms) determined for each goat.

The researchers discovered that mean weight loss is reduced in goats administered AA. For this study, identify each of the following:

a. Experimental unit

b. Response variable

c. Factor

d. Factor levels