Problem: Do antioxidants prevent cancer? People who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of colon cancer than those who eat little of these foods. Fruits and vegetables are rich in "antioxidants" such as vitamins A, C, and E. Will taking antioxidants help prevent colon cancer? A medical experiment studied this question with 864 people who were at risk of colon cancer. The subjects were divided into four groups: daily betacarotene, daily vitamins C and E, all three vitamins every day, or daily placebo. After four years, the researchers were surprised to find no significant difference in colon cancer among the groups.
Required:
(i) What are the explanatory and response variables in this experiment?
(ii) Outline the design of the experiment. Use your judgment in choosing the group sizes.
(iii) The study was double-blind. What does this mean?
(iv) What does "no significant difference" mean in describing the outcome of the study?
(v) Suggest some lurking variables that could explain why people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of colon cancer. The experiment suggests that these variables, rather than the antioxidants, may be responsible for the observed benefits of fruits and vegetables.