Reference no: EM132858014

Scenario: Addictions

The efficacy of a new addiction medication was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind study. The medication in question, Antaquil, is intended to moderate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and craving with minimum side effects. Over the course of three weeks, a sample of 36 individuals who were recovering from alcohol addiction were randomly assigned to two groups: one administered the medication and one administered a placebo. At the end of the designated period, participants were administered the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), an instrument that provides a global measure of thoughts about alcohol during nondrinking periods. Scores can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores signaling higher levels of rumination about alcohol. Prior to participation participants were all informed of the nature of Antaquil and were told they could leave the study at any time. Outcome data on the OCDS are shown below

Treatment Gp Placebo Gp

40 37

35 35

27 34

18 24

30 29

28 14

11 23

23 25

30 32

13 37

16 30

17 30

26 29

22 22

19 23

17 31

29 28

10 20

Based on the information above, what does this question mean  "Explain how statistical procedures can help you determine whether the data is attributable to chance factors".