1a. Explicit protocol. (one sentence answer)

1b. Replication. What aspect of this study exhibits a large amount of replication? (one sentence answer)

1c. Replication. What aspect of this study exhibits no replication? (one sentence answer)

1d. Standards. What standard should Grandjean et al. have employed in their measurements of hair mercury levels? What would be the consequences of not employing this standard? Did they employ it? (one paragraph answer)

Hint: The paper is ambiguous as to whether the appropriate standard was used.

1e. Randomization. In a key respect, the Grandjean et al. (1998) study lack randomization. Explain how. Then explain the consequences of this. (one paragraph answer)

2a. Explain how an explicit protocol can help reduce bias. (short paragraph answer)

2b. Explain how a large number of replicates will help prevent sampling error. (short paragraph answer)

2c. Explain how a blind experimental design will prevent unintentional bias. (short paragraph answer)

2d. Explain how randomization, properly applied, can greatly reduce confounding. Also comment on why one also needs adequate replication to minimize confounding. (one paragraph answer)

2e. Explain how a standard can help reduce both human and machine error. (one paragraph answer)

Hint for 2a-e: Answer by citing specific facts in the methylmercury case study, rather than attempting to provide a broad and general answer.