1. Discuss the ethical aspects of a randomized placebo-controlled experiment. Can you think of situations where it would be extremely difficult to carry out such an experiment?
2. Discuss the advantages of randomization in a randomized placebo-controlled experiment. Can you think of alternative, possibly better, designs? Consider (at least) the aspects of bias and efficiency
3. This problem involves the design of two questions on “stress” to be used on a data collection form for the population of a group practice health maintenance organization. After a few years of follow-up, it is desired to assess the effect of physical and psychological stress. (a) Design a question that classifies jobs by the amount of physical work involved. Use eight or fewer categories. Assume that the answer to the question is to be based on job title. That is, someone will code the answer given a job title. (b) Same as part (a), but now the classification should pertain to the amount of psychological stress. (c) Have yourself and (independently) a friend answer your two questions for the following occupational categories: student, college professor, plumber, waitress, homemaker, salesperson, unemployed, retired, unable to work (due to illness), physician, hospital administrator, grocery clerk, prisoner. (d) What other types of questions would you need to design to capture the total amount of stress in the person’s life?
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