Question

Mice and Pain Can you tell if a mouse is in pain by looking at its facial expression? A new study believes you can. The study1 created a "mouse grimace scale" and tested to see if there was a positive correlation between scores on that scale and the degree and duration of pain (based on injections of a weak and mildly painful solution.) The study's authors believe that if the scale applies to other mammals as well, it could help veterinarians test how well painkillers and other medications work in animals. 1"Of Mice and Pain", The Week, May 28, 2010, p. 21. 1. State the null and alternative hypotheses. 2.Since the study authors report that you can tell if a mouse is in pain by looking at its facial expression, do you think the data were found to be statistically significant? 3.If another study were conducted testing the correlation between scores on the "mouse grimace scale" and a placebo (non-painful) solution, should we expect to see a sample correlation as extreme as that found in the original study? 4. If another study were conducted testing the correlation between scores on the "mouse grimace scale" and a placebo (non-painful) solution, should we expect to see a sample correlation as extreme as that found in the original study, if the original study results showed no evidence of a relationship between mouse grimaces and pain?

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. a) Null hypothesis: There is no statistically significant relationship between the mouse grimace scale and the amount of pain felt by mouse.

b) Alternate hypothesis: There is a statistically-significant relationship between the mouse grimace scale and the amount of pain felt by mouse.

2. Yes, because a statistically significant data implies that there is sufficient evidence to believe the study, based on the results of the findings.

3. No, since the variables are different in this case. Here we are dealing with a non-painful solution so there may be no sample correlation as extreme as that found in the original study.

4. Possibly, because every hypothesis is an assumption until it is proven. Thus, in every statistical research, there may be different findings.