Case Study - Experimental Design

Dental Clinic

A leading dental clinic  with  three well qualified  dentists is seriously  considering  keeping  in touch  with  its  patients  as also  promoting  it s business. Normally  the clinic  recommends half yearly check to  all those  who avail  its  services.

The clinic has got  types  of cards  as shown  below:

Dear Patient

It is advisable to  have a six monthly  check up  May I remind your that it is time  for your  to have  a preventive  dental  examination ?

Please ring  up the  clinic  for an  early appointment.

Card 2

Dear Patient

As you  know it is  advisable for everyone  to have  a six monthly dental check  up as a preventive  measure. Don't forget  that your teeth  are a part of your  looks. It is our endeavour  not only  to see your  smiling face  but to  ensure that  your teeth  add grace to your  looks. You are are requested  to ring  up the clinic for an early  appointment.

The dental clinic  has decided to undertake an experiment  in this  regard. There are four experimental  groups:

a.Patient who visited the clinic  in January were  given  card  1 ( to return  in June) and were asked to  fill it in their  own handwriting:

b.Patients who vested the clinic in  February were given  card 2 ( to return  in July) and  were asked to  fill it in their  own handwriting:

c.Patients who vested the clinic  in march  received card 1 which  was typed  out ( to  return in august) an d

d.Patients who  visiting  the clinic  in April received card 2 which  was typed  out ( to  return in September.)

Questions

a.Specify the typed of experimental design indicated in this case.

b.Evaluate this  experimental design.

c.Can you improve  this design ? if so  suggest improvement .