MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 241: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 241

4. Given the description of the study in this passage, which unknown factor might have the most influence on the validity of the results?

  • A. Sample size
  • B. Duration of IBS symptoms before entering the study
  • C. Participants' previous exposure to medication to treat IBS symptoms
  • D. Length of the treatment protocols

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

In statistics, validity refers to the whether results of a given study are able to answer the question being posed by that study. In the case of this study, the question is whether meditation is as effective as the current standard therapy (CBT), at reducing IBS symptoms for participants with and without an anxiety disorder. Based on the description provided in the passage, we do not know all of the specifics about this study, though we do know that the study duration is six months (choice D is wrong). While we do not know the overall duration of IBS symptoms for participants, we do know that participants must have had active IBS for at least three months in the past year (choice B is wrong). Prior exposure to medication to treat IBS symptoms is of unknown importance, but the sample size of this study is definitely not known, and the results cannot prove that meditation is as effective as CBT without an appropriately large sample size (choice A is better than choice C).

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