Q:

Carlisle is testing different types of planting soil to determine which type is most effective in growing blueberry bushes. He purchases 2 different brands of planting soil from a local store. Carlisle applies Brand A to an area of the yard that receives full sunlight and Brand B to another area of the yard that is in partial shade. He waters both areas daily. At the end of the study, Carlisle concludes Brand A is more effective in growing blueberry bushes. Why is his conclusion not valid?

Accepted Solution

A:
This conclusion is not valid because BOTH SOIL BRANDS WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO THE SAME CONDITIONS. 
Carlisle applied brand A to the part of the yard that received full sunlight while brand B was applied to the area of the yard which received partial sunlight. This implies that the soils were subjected to different conditions and this ought not to be so, since sunlight is a very important factor, which the soils need.