An environmentalist do a study to investigate the effects of a specific herbicide in fish. Has 60 healthy fish and randomly distributes any fish or in the experimental group or the control group. The fish in the experimental group have higher indices enzymes.

1) Suppose that the statistical test was well designed and showed no statistically significant difference between the average enzyme levels in fish exposed to the herbicide and those not exposed. What conclusion can make a graduate student from these results?
a) The researcher did not correctly interpret the results. Should there be a significant difference.
b) The sample size may be too small to give a statistically significant difference.
c) It must be true that the herbicide does not cause higher levels of enzymes

2) Suppose that the statistical test was well designed and showed a statistically significant difference between the average enzyme levels in fish exposed to the herbicide and those not exposed. What conclusion can make a graduate student from these results?
a) There are indications of correlation but no causal relationship between the herbicide and the level of enzymes.
b) The sample size is too small to draw reliable conclusions.
c) The test demonstrated that the herbicide causes higher levels of enzymes.
d) There is evidence that the herbicide caused higher levels of enzymes in these fish.
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I believe that the correct answers are: 1 = b and 2 = d. What do you believe?

Thank you in advance.

I agree with your choices. The correct answers are:

1) The graduate student can conclude that the sample size may be too small to give a statistically significant difference. This means that the researcher might need a larger sample size in order to detect any significant difference in enzyme levels between the experimental and control groups.

2) The graduate student can conclude that there is evidence that the herbicide caused higher levels of enzymes in these fish. Since the statistical test showed a statistically significant difference between the average enzyme levels in the exposed and non-exposed groups, it suggests that the herbicide has a causal effect on the enzyme levels in the fish.

It is important to note that these conclusions are based on the assumption that the statistical test was well designed and carried out properly.