- #31
gleem
Science Advisor
Education Advisor
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AFAIK the placebo effect does not occur in studies involving physical changes in body chemistry like serum cholesterol, and blood sugar. It is significant in studies of the subjective effect of a medication as in pain relief or mood change.
When comparing two medications for effectiveness you compare it to a (gold)standard commonly used for the treatment. The problem as I see it with this study is that we are comparing two medications of marginal value.
I assume this problem was from a statistics course, but did they fully realize the issues with this scenario? The question is what was the intent of the problem? What did they want you to learn from it?
I think you need group C to establish the effectiveness of B as well as the effectiveness of A in lowering blood sugar. Next, you can compare A and B to determine their relative effectiveness.
When comparing two medications for effectiveness you compare it to a (gold)standard commonly used for the treatment. The problem as I see it with this study is that we are comparing two medications of marginal value.
I assume this problem was from a statistics course, but did they fully realize the issues with this scenario? The question is what was the intent of the problem? What did they want you to learn from it?
I think you need group C to establish the effectiveness of B as well as the effectiveness of A in lowering blood sugar. Next, you can compare A and B to determine their relative effectiveness.