§-Quick questions
NSWInvestigating ScienceModule 7: Fact or Fallacy?
Quick questions on Evaluating evidence and claims: HSC Investigating Science Module 7
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is applying the hierarchy to a media claim?Show answer
When a news headline claims "X causes Y":
What are a new "miracle drug" reported in the news?Show answer
Usually a Phase II trial or even pre-clinical animal data. Promising but provisional. Treatment in patients requires Phase III RCTs and regulatory approval (TGA in Australia, FDA in the US).
What are diet and cancer risk claims?Show answer
Usually based on observational cohort studies. Associations are real but confounders are common. Strong dietary recommendations need RCTs (rare for diet because of compliance challenges) or very consistent observational evidence with biological mechanism (e.g.
What are vitamin and supplement claims?Show answer
Industry-funded short trials may show effects. Independent meta-analyses (e.g. of vitamin C and the common cold) often show no clinical benefit.
What is q1?Show answer
Rank these study designs from strongest to weakest evidence: case report, cohort study, randomised controlled trial, systematic review. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A magazine reports that "eating chocolate prevents heart disease, according to a new study." Outline three questions to ask before accepting the claim. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
A pharmaceutical company submits a new statin to the PBS. (a) Identify one type of evidence the PBAC requires. (b) Identify one limitation of relying only on the manufacturer's submitted data.
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