Question

A researcher wants to study the effect of regular exercise on cholesterol levels. The researcher compares the cholesterol levels of 50 people who belong to a local gym and exercise regularly with the cholesterol levels of 50 people from the community who do not exercise regularly. The cholesterol levels of the members of the gym were substantially lower. The researcher can conclude that:________

a. exercising regularly reduces cholesterol level.
b. members of a local gym who exercise regularly have lower mean cholesterol levels than those in the community who do not exercise regularly.
c. belonging to a gym reduces cholesterol level.

Answer 1

b. members of a local gym who exercise regularly have lower mean cholesterol levels than those in the community who do not exercise regularly.

Explanation:

From the research, the researcher compared the cholesterol levels of 50 people who belong to a local gym and exercise regularly with the cholesterol levels of 50 people from the community who do not exercise regularly, and found out that the cholesterol levels of the members of the gym were substantially lower. This only proves and ascertain that the members of a local gym who exercise regularly have lower mean cholesterol levels than those in the community who do not exercise regularly. And does not lead to a general conclusion that exercising regularly reduces cholesterol level as there are other variables and data that are not considered/available (such as data on cholesterol levels of people before and after they joined the gym and exercise regularly). Other factors that may affect change in cholesterol levels must also be considered before making a general conclusion on the effect of regular exercise on cholesterol level.