• University of Washington

• BIOLOGY 180

Biology Practice Exam 1

(a) One shortcoming in this study design could be the comparison of batting averages of baseball
and fastpitch softball players who wear the necklaces versus those who don’t. Including two
different types of sports into this experiment could reduce the accuracy of the data since each
sport requires different techniques and energy, ultimately affecting the blood flow. Another
shortcoming might be in the way in which the effectiveness of the titanium necklace is
measured.
(b) A shortcoming in this study design could be that the volunteer players may be having different
activity / workout schedules for each day, varying amounts of energy used and different levels of
blood flow. So, unless there is a standard routine followed each day by the players, this design
might be a shortcoming for the study. Additionally, one player’s physical strength and endurance
could vary from that of another player. This can produce inaccurate data on the effectiveness of
the titanium necklace as well
(c) This study will consist of a controlled group of baseball players with no titanium necklace, an
independent group with players wearing a titanium necklace and a placebo group with players
wearing a necklace that looks like a titanium necklace. All these groups will consist of the sample
size and be formed with a random sampling from a specific team of baseball players.
Additionally, all players will have the same practice routine to avoid confounding variables. The
players’ batting averages of each group will be compared to deduce a conclusion about the
effectiveness of titanium necklaces in the athletic performance of the baseball players.
(d) The hypothesis of the study is that titanium