The effectiveness of the panel could be threatened by the following factors:
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Mark can't make it to the meetings and has to contribute by telephone - This could lead to communication issues, reduced participation, and a lack of engagement compared to in-person meetings.
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Ted gets mad at the rest of the panel, turns in his diary, and quits the panel - This could disrupt group dynamics, reduce the diversity of opinions, and diminish the overall effectiveness of the panel's discussions.
Both of these scenarios are more likely to threaten the panel's effectiveness than the fact that the members are different ages or do not know each other outside of the study, which could actually be beneficial in providing varied perspectives.