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# Issues with Experiments: Fabric Softeners

APSTAT-XKWK6X

A scientist wants to test three different laundry fabric softeners.

Of a total of $150$ towels, $50$ were randomly selected and washed with a certain fabric softener. Another $50$ randomly selected towels were washed with a different fabric softener, and the remaining $50$ towels were washed with the third fabric softener.

Each laundry load was done with the same detergent, same water temperature, and on the same washing machine. A total of $50$ trained observers then felt the towels from each of the three treatment groups for softness. The response variable will be which towel the observers say is the softest.

Which of the following could be a problem with this experiment?

A

There is not enough replication to get trustworthy results.

B

There should be a placebo group in this experiment.

C

The experiment should use randomly selected consumers instead of trained observers.

D

The experiment should be single blind so that the observers do not know the brand of softener being used for each towel.

E

There are obvious lurking variables present in this experiment.