In a 1999 study, researchers attempted to determine whether the death rate of older adults who have had a major bone fracture is higher than the death rate for older adults who have never had a major fracture. Researchers reviewed records of all people at least 60 years old who lived in Dubbo, Australia, between 1989 and 1994. The study concluded that the death rate of older adults who have had a major fracture is higher than the death rate for older adults who have never had a major fracture.
a. The title of the journal article says that the study is observational. Why does that make sense?
b. Explain why it would be unethical to perform an experiment about this topic.
c. Describe the sample and the population.
d. What are the explanatory and response variables?
e. What is the conclusion of the study? Does this mean there is causality or only an association between the two variables? Explain.