In Graph Analysis and Drug Trials: Flashcards
Sometimes the evidence from the graph may not be enough to draw a certain conclusion. WHY
Any correlation does not mean there is a causal relationship
There may some other factor producing a rise/fall in both factors
Sometimes, there is no relation between both factors further along the graph
Also if a control group was not used, then effectiveness cannot be measured
Fluctuations in a graph are a clear sign that conclusions cannot be drawn from it
In graphs, where conclusions are being drawn regarding a disease, check if it says ‘reported cases’, if it does you can mention about how we don’t know the full amount of disease cases as many were not reported and THEREFORE we can’t draw conclusions.
Sometimes data on a graph is given in a percentage, the advantage of this is
Allows comparison
Shows proportional Change as sometimes the initial weight/size/volume etc. of substances is different
Experiments are repeated for the following reasons
Allows anomalies to be identified Makes the average more reliable Allows more concordant results Allows the mean to be calculated To make the line of best fit and intercept on a graph more precise
Difference between accuracy and reliability
Accurate: without error
Reliable: that figure can be reproduced when measurement repeated
Why it is important to check the repeatability of measurements
Increases reliability of measurements
If measurements are repeatable, then anomalies are unlikely
If you wanted to see if two results are similar
Plot scatter diagram of one set of results against the other and you should see a positive correlation
Why it is best to have a large sample
reduces sampling error
Advantages of collecting large number of results
Allows anomalies to be identified
Allows use of statistical test
If it asks you why a drug may not be perfect
Unknown Long-Term side effects
Study should be carried out on humans and the study should be repeated
Before carrying drug trials, scientists should consider the following regarding the drug:
Dose to be given
No serious side effects
How effective
Cost of drug
When taking drug trial, scientists should consider the following of volunteers
Age Health Gender Ethnicity Genetic Factors Lifestyle Body Mass
In a medical study, the information is useful to scientists because It allows scientists to
Determine the most effective dose
Determine the most length of treatment
Investigate long-term effect
Find most cost-effective treatment
Double Blind trials are trials wherein neither the volunteers nor the doctors know which treatment a particular volunteer is receiving, this improves reliability because
Prevents bias
Prevents positive/negative psychological effects
Even if an investigation was failure, it is important for scientists to report their results because
Saves money and time for others
Ensures same work is not repeated
Why at times Standard Deviation is better than the mean
Range only shows highest and lowest values
Also it is possible to have two very different data sets with the same range
Also range is affected by a single outlier
Standard Deviation shows spread about the mean and allows statistical use
