compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of two different approaches to study the following issue:
You have developed a new drug that you believe is effective in reducing appetite. As a result of some preliminary research, you have been given a small grant to design an experiment that tests the effectiveness of this new drug on morbidly obese individuals.
In this project, be sure to include the following:
•A detailed description of the experimental method you will use: [a repeated measures design, or one of the independent group designs]
•A thorough justification of your selected method
•A clear identification of your target population
•A description and justification of your sampling plan
•Any ethical issues that may be connected to your study
•Your expected results
•Threats to the internal validity of the study
•Threats to the external validity of the study
•Any limitations to the conclusions that you can make
•Recommendations for future research on this topic
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To compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of two different approaches to studying the effectiveness of a new appetite-reducing drug on morbidly obese individuals, let's consider two commonly used experimental methods: the repeated measures design and the independent group design.
1. Repeated Measures Design:
The repeated measures design involves using the same group of participants for all conditions of the experiment. In this case, the morbidly obese individuals would receive the drug treatment and a placebo, and their appetite reduction would be compared.
Strengths:
- Greater control over individual differences: Since the same participants undergo both conditions (drug and placebo), any individual variations that could affect appetite reduction are minimized.
- High internal validity: By eliminating individual differences, the design allows for a stronger causal relationship between the drug treatment and appetite reduction.
Weaknesses:
- Order effects: Participants may experience different reactions based on the order of receiving the drug or placebo. For example, if participants receive the drug first, they may develop tolerance or have different expectations when they get the placebo.
- Carryover effects: The effects of the treatment may persist beyond the experimental condition, influencing subsequent conditions.
2. Independent Group Design:
The independent group design involves assigning participants randomly to either the drug treatment group or the placebo group. Each group receives only one condition.
Strengths:
- Controlling order and carryover effects: Since participants only experience one condition, the order and carryover effects are eliminated.
- Reduced contamination: There is less chance of participants comparing their experiences with others when they are in separate groups.
- External validity: Results may generalize better to a broader population when different individuals represent the drug treatment and placebo groups.
Weaknesses:
- Increased individual differences: Participants in different groups may have various characteristics that can influence appetite reduction, leading to less control over individual differences.
- Potential for selection bias: Random assignment, while helpful, may not guarantee perfectly equal groups, which could introduce bias.
It is essential to consider the specific requirements and constraints of the study when selecting the most appropriate method.
Target Population:
Morbidly obese individuals will be the target population for this study. They need to fit specific criteria based on medical and weight standards to ensure accuracy and safety in conducting the experiment.
Sampling Plan:
A sampling plan should involve selecting morbidly obese individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages, and genders to enhance the generalizability of the findings. The sample size should be determined based on statistical power analysis to ensure sufficient statistical power in detecting meaningful differences.
Ethical Issues:
The study must adhere to ethical considerations, such as obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring participant confidentiality, and minimizing potential harm or discomfort. Additionally, the study must involve an ethics review board to evaluate the procedures and protocols.
Expected Results:
The anticipated outcome would preferably indicate a significant reduction in appetite for the group receiving the drug treatment compared to the placebo group. However, the magnitude of appetite reduction, statistical significance, and clinical relevance should be considered.
Threats to Internal Validity:
Possible threats to internal validity include factors that could influence the study's outcomes, such as history (external events affecting participants during the study), maturation (natural changes in participants over time), and regression toward the mean (participants returning to their baseline appetite levels based on chance).
Threats to External Validity:
External validity threats include factors that limit the generalizability of the study's findings to the broader population, such as a limited sample size, specific inclusion criteria, and the study's setting or conditions, which may not accurately reflect real-world situations.
Limitations to Conclusions:
It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the study. For example, the study's duration, sample characteristics, or methodology may restrict the generalization of findings to other populations or real-life contexts.
Recommendations for Future Research:
Based on the insights gained from the study, future research may explore additional variables, such as the drug's long-term effects, the influence of dosage, potential side effects, or the drug's efficacy in combination with other treatments for morbidly obese individuals. Additionally, assessing the impact of the drug on psychological factors like cravings and satisfaction could be beneficial.
By weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the repeated measures design and the independent group design, researchers can make an informed decision about the most suitable approach for their study on the effectiveness of the new appetite-reducing drug on morbidly obese individuals.