Scientific examinations
Two outcomes can disagree
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VISUAL EXAMINATION / LESSON OPENING
Two outcomes can disagree
The question is retained before an explanation is adopted.
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Published group means from the asthma study; error bars are omitted. [22]
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OBSERVATION TO BE CONSIDERED
A person may report relief even when a measured body function changes little. Both observations deserve careful interpretation.
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QUESTION TO BE CARRIED FORWARD
Which outcome was measured? Were expectations, comparison conditions and individual variation considered?
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The report of comfort and the report from the lungs are both retained.
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0 20 40 60 Mean improvement (%)
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Albuterol
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Placebo inhaler
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Sham acupuncture
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No intervention
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20
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7
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7
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7
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Measured airflow
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0 20 40 60 Mean improvement (%)
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50
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45
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46
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21
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Reported relief