Evaluating Health Claims

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Zinc’s Effects on Colds Article

What was the dependent variable (what was it that the author of the article says “depends” on something else)? For example, you getting wet when you step outside “depends” on whether it is raining outside.

Duration of a cold

What was the independent variable (what was it that the author of the article says something else “depends” on)? For example, you getting wet (from a pool or a shower) doesn’t affect whether it’s raining outside.

Dose of zinc

What was the hypothesis (what did the author set out to test BEFORE the claim was made)?

Missing - None was stated before testing and a conclusion was made

What was the conclusion?

Zinc doses over 75 mg per day have a significant effect in shortening the duration of colds

Evidence that this was a controlled experiment (how did the author prove that other factors that could give false results or an incorrect conclusion were eliminated?

How do you feel about the sources that were used to make each claim (literature used to carry out background research, design the experiment, or interpret results)?

There are no references at all

How do you feel about the level of peer-review for each claim (how many experts in the field reviewed the article before it was published)?

This was published in a scientific journal and has peer-reviewed status