Question

you are listening to a news report that claims a new study has found convincing evidence that a particular weight - loss product is much more effective than diet and exercise. which statement would be an example of scientifically \convincing\ evidence in this case?
only the participants who used the weight - loss product lost weight.
all the participants lost at least 10 pounds.
statistical tests showed significantly more weight loss in the participants who used the weight - loss product than those who relied on diet and exercise.
the participants who used the weight - loss product lost an average of 3 pounds, whereas the participants who used diet and exercise lost an average of 2 pounds.
the study has a hypothesis.

Explanation:

To determine scientifically "convincing" evidence for a weight - loss product being more effective than diet and exercise, we need to consider what constitutes rigorous scientific evidence.

• For the option "Only the participants who used the weight - loss product lost weight": This could be due to other confounding factors. Maybe the diet and exercise group had different starting conditions or didn't follow the diet/exercise plan properly. It doesn't necessarily prove the product is more effective.
• For "All the participants lost at least 10 pounds": This doesn't compare the product group with the diet and exercise group. Both groups could have lost weight, but we don't know if the product group lost more, so it doesn't show the product is more effective.
• For "Statistical tests showed significantly more weight loss in the participants who used the weight - loss product than those who relied on diet and exercise": Statistical significance means that the difference in weight loss between the two groups is not likely due to chance. This is a key component of scientific evidence as it controls for random variation and provides a more reliable comparison between the two methods (using the product vs. diet and exercise).
• For "The participants who used the weight - loss product lost an average of 3 pounds, whereas the participants who used diet and exercise lost an average of 2 pounds": A difference of 1 pound could be due to random chance, especially if the sample size is small. Without knowing if this difference is statistically significant, we can't be sure the product is truly more effective.
• For "The study has a hypothesis": Just having a hypothesis is not evidence. A hypothesis is a prediction that needs to be tested with data, and this option doesn't provide any data - based evidence of the product's effectiveness.

Answer:

C. Statistical tests showed significantly more weight loss in the participants who used the weight - loss product than those who relied on diet and exercise.