Just test it yourself.

I maybe able to narrow your need for the stuff down a bit. The environment and number of deer per square mile play a big role. One area I hunt is flat, some what open with small wood lots and the wind changes often. Some places it seems the wind comes from all directions. The herd size is 1 per square mile. To kill that 1 deer takes some doing and scent control has to be at it's highest form. If your a very good kiss a$$ you can get a shot at a group of them. If not and you hunt someplace else it could be weeks before you see one. I have hunted with and without the stuff. I recommend doing it with if, you want a shot and maybe your only one all year. I've killed that deer and every one's a trophy in my book.

If you hunt where the terrain is more broken up and the deer numbers are high you can get along without the stuff. I hunt there too, and it is often the reason many guys pooh pooh the stuff. Still I would, do wear mine there. It does help.

As far as the science goes, there are a whole lot of variables that are never spoken about that any real science would have to include. You can find many of them out for yourself. I've given 3 already.

As far as the dog thing goes, I own a bluetick/blood hound. A powerful nose on that beast. He smells more than the scent of the thing he's looking for and scent lok clothes have a carbon smell to them. No one ever said they were without a scent. That test is a, what's the word, oh ya, gimmick, it does help a person find the stuff sitting on the shelves at a reduced cost though.