After menopause, some women take supplemental estrogen. There is some concern that if these women also drink alcohol, their estrogen levels will rise too high. Twelve volunteers who were receiving supplemental estrogen were randomly divided into two groups, as were 12 other volunteers not on estrogen. In each case, one group drank an alcoholic beverage, the other a nonalcoholic beverage. An hour later, everyone's estrogen level was checked. Only those on supplemental estrogen who drank alcohol showed a marked increase.
Read each brief report of statistical research, and identify
a) Whether it was an observational study or an experiment.
If it was an observational study, identify (if possible)
b) Whether it was retrospective or prospective.
c) The subjects studied and how they were selected.
d) The parameter of interest.
e) The nature and scope of the conclusion the study can reach.
If it was an experiment, identify (if possible)
b) The subjects studied.
c) The factor(s) in the experiment and the number of levels for each.
d) The number of treatments.
e) The response variable measured.
f) The design (completely randomized, blocked, or matched).
g) Whether it was blind (or double-blind).
h) The nature and scope of the conclusion the experiment can reach.