Physical Science - 02.05 - Question #3

There is a new brand of water on the market advertised to relieve headaches. It is selling like crazy! When the Food and Drug Administration asked for scientific proof that the water actually does what it claims to do, the owners of the company produced a scientific research study that they had paid a group of scientists to perform. In the study, researchers gave this special water to a group of 50 people who claimed to have a headache. The people drank the special water whenever they felt thirsty over a period of 24 hours. After the 24 hours, 99% of the people reported that their headache was gone.

Should the Food and Drug Administration trust this scientific study and allow the company to sell the water with this claim? Would this be an example of science or pseudoscience? Support your answer with at least three reasons.

Question

Physics

Regina Underwood

21 March, 16:46

Physical Science - 02.05 - Question #3

There is a new brand of water on the market advertised to relieve headaches. It is selling like crazy! When the Food and Drug Administration asked for scientific proof that the water actually does what it claims to do, the owners of the company produced a scientific research study that they had paid a group of scientists to perform. In the study, researchers gave this special water to a group of 50 people who claimed to have a headache. The people drank the special water whenever they felt thirsty over a period of 24 hours. After the 24 hours, 99% of the people reported that their headache was gone.

Should the Food and Drug Administration trust this scientific study and allow the company to sell the water with this claim? Would this be an example of science or pseudoscience? Support your answer with at least three reasons.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Sage Wong · Answer 1

1. They should not trust this study. 2. Pseudoscience.

Explanation:

Because they drank the water and after 24 hours, they said that it was gone. Head aches go away sooner than that. Another reason is that some people could have lied about having a headache just so they could have the water or their headache could have gone away before they drank the water.