1.11 In a study of whether taking a garlic supplement reduces the risk of getting a cold, participants were assigned to either a garlic supplement group or to a group that did not take a garlic supplement

(“Garlic for the Common Cold,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2009). Based on the study, it was concluded that the proportion of people taking a garlic supplement who get a cold is lower than the proportion of those not taking a garlic supplement who get a cold.

a. What were the researchers trying to learn? What questions motivated their research?

b. Do you think that the study was conducted in a reasonable way? What additional information would you want in order to evaluate this study?