Explain the concept of confounding and how it limits the ability to make cause-and-effect conclusions.
Distinguish between an observational study and an experiment, and identify the explanatory and response variables in each type of study.
Identify the experimental units and treatments in an experiment.
Describe the placebo effect and the purpose of blinding in an experiment.
Describe how to randomly assign treatments in an experiment using slips of paper, technology, or a table of random digits.
Explain the purpose of comparison, random assignment, control, and replication in an experiment.
Choose one to read or listen to:
Did your parents raise you right? Economist Emily Oster looks at the data behind all that parenting advice and finds some surprises. Read more here.
Listen to this podcast about the placebo effect from RadioLab FYI it may change your life.
Errors Trigger Retraction Of Study On Mediterranean Diet's Heart Benefits How one scientist called out another scientist (Dr. Fujii). The odds were infinitesimally small that Fujii had randomized people properly.