Question

A sports nutrition company created an energy drink which they think improves athletic performance. In one study, weightlifters were randomly assigned to drink either this new sports drink or flavored water (with a similar taste). The study found that those drank the sports drink were able to lift more weight than before, while those who drank the flavored water were only able to lift the same weight as before.

Is it valid for the company to claim that the cause of the first group lifting more weight than before is due to them drinking the new sports drink?
A. No, because this is an observational study which does not address causation.
B. No, because this is neither an experimental nor observational study.
C. No, because the stronger athletes were likely to drink the new sports drink whereas the weaker athletes were likely to drink flavored water.
D. Yes, because this is an experimental study.

Answer 1

Answer:3.C

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the study being described it is not a valid claim because the stronger athletes were likely to drink the new sports drink whereas the weaker athletes were likely to drink flavored water. The companies need to sample athletes that are able to consistently lift a maximum of the same amount of weight. Once they have these participants they can then start the experiment. That way they know that the athletes are all on par with each other and if one is able to lift more than the other because they drank the energy drink they can isolate the drink as a cause.