I am trying to identify null and alternative hypotheses for a given scenario. The scenario is as follows: The efficacy of a new addiction medication was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind study. The medication in question, Antaquil, is intended to moderate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and craving with minimum side effects. Over the course of three weeks, a sample of 36 individuals who were recovering from alcohol addiction were randomly assigned to two groups: one administered the medication and one administered a placebo. At the end of the designated period, participants were administered the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), an instrument that provides a global measure of thoughts about alcohol during nondrinking periods. Scores can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores signaling higher levels of rumination about alcohol. Prior to participation participants were all informed of the nature of Antaquil and were told they could leave the study at any time. . Outcome data on the OCDS are shown below (also found in the Data Set Scenario 4 Excel file). Treatment Group: 40 35 27 18 30 28 11 23 30 13 16 17 26 22 19 17 29 10 Placebo Group: 37 35 34 24 29 14 23 25 32 37 30 30 29 22 23 31 28 20.

Does the correct answer involve finding the mean of the placebo group?