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A study was undertaken to assess weight loss programmes. A sample of 120 people who were either overweight or obese (based on body mass index) were recruited. For a twelve-week period, all individuals in the study were: - prescribed a diet (including scheduling of meals and snacks); - required to attend the nearby gym for 1 hr sessions on each of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings each week for 16 weeks. A personal trainer administered and supervised a fitness programme; and - required to maintain a daily diary identifying their food consumption and exercise. Individuals were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (A, B, C). Participants in: • Group A would simply follow the above diet, exercise and diary programme. • Group B would additionally attend a weekly hypnotherapy session for 1 hour each Tuesday evening. The session was designed to help overcome desires to ‘binge eat’ and to increase the desire to eat even less than the diet permitted. • Group C were (additional to Group A conditions) teamed up as pairs (a buddy system approach) to workout at the gym where they would also discuss their progress and goals. After the twelve-week period, weight loss (in kg) was recorded for each individual. The data are available in the file Weight Loss – Assign 1.sav available on Blackboard (same location as Assignment file)

a) Name and describe the response or outcome variable of interest.

b) Name and describe the potential predictor variable of interest. 

c) What would be the purpose (key points of interest) of conducting such a study? State this as a clear and useful objective for this study.

d) Describe the distribution of the weight loss for those in Group A. Provide, and refer to, appropriate visual displays and descriptive statistics in your description.

e) Compare the weight losses from the three programmes to determine if there is a relationship between weight loss and programme. Provide, and refer to, appropriate visual displays and descriptive statistics in your comparison.

f) Identify two concerns you may have about the design of this study, and explain why they may be important issues to address. (max. 100 words)

g) For each of the issues identified in part f) identify a suggested remedy (how to design the study) to address them (max. 100 words)