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Read a journal article that describes a randomized controlled trial (the gold standard) in the field of health promotion. Discuss how randomization was implemented. Did it work (that is, were groups equivalent at baseline?)What was the independent variable and dependent variables? How many arms did it have? What were the extraneous variables that were controlled for?

Read a journal article that describes an empirical observational research study. Discuss the design that was used in terms of its appropriateness in answering the research question(s). Is there another design that would have been stronger and that you would have chosen instead? What were the limitations of the design? Did the investigators draw appropriate conclusions based on the design or did they overstep their data?