Biology and Environmental Science
We all expect hospitals to be clean, almost spotless. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one million people contract an infection directly from a hospital visit each year. A recent study suggested that hospital lobbies may have high levels of airborne particles, including bacteria and fungi.19 Independent random samples of hospital lobbies were obtained for each combination of season (1, winter; 2, spring; 3, summer; 4, fall) and lobby size (1, small; 2, medium; 3, large). The level of airborne bacteria was measured in each (in CFU/m3).
a. Construct the two-way ANOVA summary table. Interpret the results. Use a = 0.05 for each hypothesis test.
b. Suppose more airborne bacteria in the lobby means there is a greater chance of contracting an infection. Is there one season in which we should avoid going to a hospital? Why?
c. Similarly, is there a specific size of hospital lobby to avoid? Why?