Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisHardComparison undermined by who gets the treatment
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question
A hospital reports that patients given a new drug recover faster than patients who are not given it. The drug is prescribed only to patients whose illness is mild. Which of the following best explains why the comparison is misleading?
- A. Patients with mild illness would be expected to recover faster anyway, so the drug's effect cannot be separated from the choice of patients.Correct
- B. The drug should have been given to every patient.
- C. Recovery time cannot be measured.
- D. The hospital did not report the drug's price.
Answer: A. Patients with mild illness would be expected to recover faster anyway, so the drug's effect cannot be separated from the choice of patients.
The treated group differs from the untreated group in a way that affects recovery.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. The drug should have been given to every patient.
- Giving it to everyone would remove the comparison entirely.
- C. Recovery time cannot be measured.
- Recovery time was measured; the problem is the groups.
- D. The hospital did not report the drug's price.
- Price is irrelevant to the comparison.
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