Question

a therapist wishes to show that his new therapy is a marked improvement over the current best available therapy. to do so, he examines the number of participants who improved with each. a total of 125 participants received his treatment (and 100 of them improved). a total of 80 participants received the alternative treatment (and 64 of them improved). what should the therapist conclude?

a) his treatment is superior to the alternative because 100 is greater than 64.

b) his treatment is no better than the alternative because the percentage improved is the same for both treatments.

c) his treatment is inferior because the percentages are the same.

d) his treatment is superior because it included 125 people as opposed to 80.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the percentage of improvement for the new therapy

The formula for percentage is \(\frac{\text{Number of improved participants}}{\text{Total participants}}\times100\%\).
For the new therapy, with \(100\) improved out of \(125\) participants: \(\frac{100}{125}\times100\%=\frac{4}{5}\times100\% = 80\%\)

Step2: Calculate the percentage of improvement for the alternative therapy

For the alternative therapy, with \(64\) improved out of \(80\) participants: \(\frac{64}{80}\times100\%=\frac{4}{5}\times100\%=80\%\)

Answer:

B. His treatment is no better than the alternative because the percentage improved is the same for both treatments.