Question

Short Essay: Write your answer in complete sentences.

You are a newspaper reporter writing about a new study recently released from Health Wise, a company that produces and sells diet and vitamin supplements. In a new study, HealthWise tested their new weight loss supplement called VitaBlend. The study included 12 subjects. This included 6 volunteers, recruited at a local fitness center, who took the VitaBlend supplement and were prescribed a high-fiber and low-fat diet. The study also included 6 subjects who were told to continue their normal diet and exercise routine. HealthWise reported that the subjects who took VitaBlend lost, on average, four pounds more than those who did not take the supplement over the course of one month. Based on this rate of weight loss, HealthWise claims that their supplement will help people lose approximately 48 lbs per year. Your editor asks you to report on this study, and asks you to determine if it is credible.

List AT LEAST TWO major problems with the design of the study, and explain why these flaws could imply that the conclusions made by HealthWise are unreliable.

Answer 1