How should a researcher test the hypothesis that eating chocolate leads to acne in teenagers?

Question

How should a researcher test the hypothesis that eating chocolate leads to acne in teenagers??  
A. Take 100 teenagers and feed each one a different amount of chocolate daily for 60 days; then test for acne.  
B. Take 100 teenagers and feed 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate; then test for acne.  
C. Take 1 teenager and feed him or her two bars of chocolate for 30 days and no chocolate for 30 days; then test for acne.  
D. Take 100 teenagers and feed them no chocolate for 30 days and two bars of chocolate apiece for 30 days; then test for acne.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (B)Take 100 teenagers and feed 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate; then test for acne.. 
Rationale: The hypothesis should be tested by taking 100 teenagers and feeding 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate, then comparing the occurrence of acne between the two groups.This approach represents a properly controlled scientific experiment. To determine whether chocolate causes acne, the researcher must isolate chocolate as the only variable that differs between groups while keeping all other conditions as similar as possible. By using a control group (no chocolate) and an experimental group (chocolate), the researcher can directly compare outcomes and determine whether chocolate consumption is associated with increased acne. This design allows for reliable conclusions about cause and effect rather than simple correlation.A) Take 100 teenagers and feed each one a different amount of chocolate daily for 60 days; then test for acneThis design introduces too many variables. If each teenager eats a different amount of chocolate, it becomes difficult to determine whether acne is caused by chocolate itself or by the specific quantity consumed. More importantly, there is no control group of teenagers who eat no chocolate at all. Without a control group, the researcher cannot compare results against a baseline to determine whether chocolate truly makes a difference. Therefore, this method is weak and scientifically unreliable.B) Take 100 teenagers and feed 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate; then test for acneThis is the correct method. It includes all essential elements of a strong experimental design:A control group (no chocolate)An experimental group (chocolate consumption)A large sample size (100 participants)Identical conditions for both groups except for the variable being testedA clear outcome to measure (acne development)This structure allows the researcher to attribute any difference in acne rates specifically to chocolate consumption, assuming other variables such as hygiene, diet, and genetics are properly controlled or randomized.C) Take 1 teenager and feed him or her two bars of chocolate for 30 days and no chocolate for 30 days; then test for acneUsing only one participant is scientifically invalid. Individual biological differences, hormonal changes, stress levels, and natural acne cycles could strongly influence the outcome. Results from a single person cannot be generalized to the teenage population. This design also lacks statistical reliability and cannot support meaningful conclusions.D) Take 100 teenagers and feed them no chocolate for 30 days and two bars of chocolate each for 30 days; then test for acneAlthough this design involves many participants, it still has serious flaws. There is no separate control group because all participants eventually receive chocolate. Acne does not appear or disappear instantly, so acne that develops in the first phase may persist into the second phase, confusing the results. Additionally, the order of exposure may affect outcomes, and there is no way to separate the effects of time from the effects of chocolate consumption.ConclusionTo properly test whether chocolate causes acne, a researcher must use a controlled experiment with separate experimental and control groups under identical conditions. Only option B follows sound scientific principles and allows for valid cause-and-effect conclusions. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Take 100 teenagers and feed 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate; then test for acne

How should a researcher test the hypothesis that eating chocolate leads to acne in teenagers?

The hypothesis should be tested by taking 100 teenagers and feeding 50 two bars of chocolate daily for 60 days while the other 50 eat no chocolate, then comparing the occurrence of acne between the two groups.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions