Does the fact that medical researchers get money from drug manufacturers affect their results? The New England Journal of Medicine published a paper that included the following results.15 The table at the top of the next page summarizes the tone of articles published by 69 authors during 1996€“1997. The publication was labeled either supportive, neutral, or critical. For each author, the data show whether the researchers received support from a pharmaceutical company.
(a) Do the data support the claim that by supporting research, drug companies influence the results of scientists?
(b) Does the table show a plain relationship, or might another variable lurk in the background? What might be its impact? Explain.

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Tone of Article Supportive Neutral Critical 24 10 13 pharmaceutical 17 Not supported by pharmaceutical