Lab 4.
Statistics 200: Lab Activity for Section 4.1
Introducing hypothesis tests - Learning objectives:
Recognize when and why statistical tests are needed
Specify null and alternative hypotheses based on a question of interest, defining relevant
parameters
Recognize that hypothesis tests examine whether sample data provide sufficient evidence
to refute the null hypothesis and support the alternative hypothesis
Compare the strength of evidence that different samples have about the same hypothesis
Activity 1: Statistical test or confidence interval?
In each scenario below, indicate a) whether the researchers should use a statistical test or confidence
interval and b) what the population parameter(s) of interest is/are.
1. Polling 1000 people in a large community to determine the proportion who have a Netflix
subscription.
a. Researchers should use a statistical test or confidence interval
b. What the population parameter(s) of interest is/are
2. Testing 100 high school freshmen and 100 high school seniors on the same algebra exam to
determine if there is evidence for the claim that seniors score higher on average.
a. Researchers should use a statistical test or confidence interval
b. What the population parameter(s) of interest is/are
3. Conduct an experiment with 50 people in a driving simulator to find the mean reaction time to hit
the brakes when an object is seen in the view ahead.
a. Researchers should use a statistical test or confidence interval
b. What the population parameter(s) of interest is/are
Activity 2: Hypothesis Keywords.
What are keywords or phrases that help you decide if the alternative hypothesis includes a >, <, or a ≠?
Symbol Key Words or Phrases
>
<
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Lab 4.1
Activity 3: Writing Hypotheses
Write down the hypotheses for the test in each case below (use proper notation):
1. Does the proportion of people who support gun control differ between males and females?
H0:
Ha:
2. Is the average hours of sleep per night for college students less than 7?
H0:
Ha:
3. Is there evidence that the mean of group A is not the same as the mean of group B?
H0:
Ha:
4. Is there a negative correlation between hours per week spent studying and number of parties
attended per week?
H0:
Ha:
Activity 4: Evidence for The Claim.
You will need to use the data in the Minitab file “Hypothetical Data for Section 4.1 Lab” for this activity.
The file is available in Canvas. Use the Minitab guide to help you with creating the summaries.
1. We are interested in testing to see if there is evidence that the population mean for mathematics
placement exam scores is greater than 25.
a. Write the correct null and alternative hypotheses for this situation:
H0:
Ha:
b. The data for four hypothetical samples (e.g., ‘Math Scores A’ is one sample) for the math
placement exam scores is included in the Minitab data set. Create summaries, either
numerical or graphical, to evaluate which of the samples provides the most or least amount
of evidence against the null and for the alternative.
What kind of summaries did you create?
c. Which of the possible sample results provide the most evidence for the alternative
hypothesis?
d. Which of the possible sample results provide no evidence for the alternative hypothesis?
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Lab 4.1
2. Researchers in a hypothetical town are trying to see if there is evidence that an upcoming ballot
measure for a tax increase will pass with more than 50% of the vote.
a. Write the correct null and alternative hypotheses for this situation:
H0:
Ha:
b. They take four hypothetical samples (e.g., ‘Opinion A’ is one sample) of the same size and
record whether individuals will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Their hypothetical data is included in the
same dataset you used for the above question. Again, use these data to decide which of
the samples provides the most or least amount of evidence against the null and for the
alternative.
What kind of summaries did you create?
c. Which of the possible sample results provide the most evidence for the alternative
hypothesis?
d. Which of the possible sample results provide no evidence for the alternative hypothesis?
3. We are interested in testing to see if there is evidence that the correlation between exam grades
(in percentages) and hours spent playing video games is negative for a population of students.
a. Write the correct null and alternative hypotheses for this situation:
H0:
Ha:
Below are four scatterplots of hypothetical samples collected to investigate the claim:
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Lab 4.1
a. Which of the possible sample results provide the most evidence for the alternative
hypothesis?
b. Which of the possible sample results provide no evidence for the alternative hypothesis?
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