Physical Science - 02.05 - Question #3

There is a new brand of water on the market advertised to relieve headaches. It is selling like crazy! When the Food and Drug Administration asked for scientific proof that the water actually does what it claims to do, the owners of the company produced a scientific research study that they had paid a group of scientists to perform. In the study, researchers gave this special water to a group of 50 people who claimed to have a headache. The people drank the special water whenever they felt thirsty over a period of 24 hours. After the 24 hours, 99% of the people reported that their headache was gone.

Should the Food and Drug Administration trust this scientific study and allow the company to sell the water with this claim? Would this be an example of science or pseudoscience? Support your answer with at least three reasons.