Question 1

g. Write a paragraph describing the characteristics of Brink's sample based on the data in the table and extrapolations you can make based on the data. Make sure to address each sample characteristic.

Here is a summary of a fictitious study.

Brink studied the effect of postural change on cardiovascular reactivity for a sample of healthy white and African American men and women. Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from supine to standing position was used as the measure of cardiac reactivity in a sample of 842 adults. Supine measurement of blood pressure was taken after participants had lain on an examination table for 15 minutes. Blood pressure was measured three times at 1-minute intervals using a preset automated blood pressure monitor, and the three measurements were averaged. Participants then stood up, and an additional three measurements were made over another 3-minute period and then averaged. Below is a table describing the characteristics of Brink's sample.

Table 1

Characteristics of the Study Sample (N = 842)

Sample Characteristic	Frequency (N)	Percentage or Mean (SD)	Range
Gender Female Male	408 434	48.5% 51.5%
Age (years)	842	55.1 (5.3)	44.0-67.0
Race/ethnicity White, not Hispanic African American	701 141	83.3% 16.7%
Smoking status Nonsmoker Currently smokes < 1 pack/day Currently smokes 1+ packs/day	698 91 53	82.9% 10.8% 6.3%
BMI	831	24.9 (4.1)	18.1-36.3