Question

Ethan is conducting an experiment to determine whether a new medication is effective in reducing sneezing. He finds 1,500 volunteers with sneezing issues and divides them into 2 groups. The control group does not receive any medication; the treatment group receives the medication. The patients in the treatment group show reduced signs of sneezing. What can Ethan conclude from this experiment?

Answer 1

Since the aim of experiment is to check the effectiveness of a new medication, for a better conclusion and results, Ethan must perform some statistical testing i.e. hypothesis testing. 

Based on results from that hypothesis testing Ethan can decide if there is a significant decrease of sneezing in the patients of treatment group or not.

However, before performing any such testing, Ethan can also observe the data and conclude on basis of his observations i.e. if considerable number of patients in treatment group show reduced signs of sneezing then the new medicine is effective in reducing sneezing.