The following scatterplot represents the results of a study undertaken by Chakrabarty et al. (2005) who were investigating glutamate levels in psychotropic drug-naive OCD patients and comparing them with psychiatrically normal controls. Findings were reported as follows for CSF glutamate levels in OCD patients compared to controls: F(1,29)=11.153, p = 0.002. How would these findings be interpreted? Scatterplot showing CSF glutamate levels in patients (1) and controls (2).
A) CSF glutamate levels are not significantly raised in OCD patients compared to normal controls.
B) CSF glutamate levels are significantly raised in OCD patients compared to normal controls.
C) CSF glutamate levels are unchanged in OCD patients compared to normal controls.
D) None of the above.

Question

The following scatterplot represents the results of a study undertaken by Chakrabarty et al. (2005) who were investigating glutamate levels in psychotropic drug-naive OCD patients and comparing them with psychiatrically normal controls. Findings were reported as follows for CSF glutamate levels in OCD patients compared to controls: F(1,29)=11.153, p = 0.002. How would these findings be interpreted?  Scatterplot showing CSF glutamate levels in patients (1) and controls (2).
A) CSF glutamate levels are not significantly raised in OCD patients compared to normal controls. 
B) CSF glutamate levels are significantly raised in OCD patients compared to normal controls. 
C) CSF glutamate levels are unchanged in OCD patients compared to normal controls. 
D) None of the above.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scatterplot shows a clear difference in CSF glutamate levels between the two groups, with the OCD patients having higher levels. The statistical analysis reported a significant difference between the groups, with a high F-value and a very low p-value (p = 0.002). Therefore, we can interpret these findings as indicating that CSF glutamate levels are significantly raised in OCD patients compared to normal controls.

The Following Scatterplot Represents the Results of a Study Undertaken