Question

A researcher wants to determine whether high school students who attend an SAT preparation course score significantly different on the SAT than students who do not attend the preparation course. For those who do not attend the course, the population mean is 1050 (? = 1050). The 16 students who attend the preparation course average 1150 on the SAT, with a sample standard deviation of 300. On the basis of these data, can the researcher conclude that the preparation course has a significant difference on SAT scores? Set alpha equal to .05.

Q1: The appropriate statistical procedure for this example would be a

A. z-test

B. t-test

Q2: Is this a one-tailed or a two-tailed test?

Q3: The most appropriate null hypothesis (in words) would be

A. There is no statistical difference in SAT scores when comparing students who took the SAT prep course with the general population of students who did not take the SAT prep course.

B. There is a statistical difference in SAT scores when comparing students who took the SAT prep course with the general population of students who did not take the SAT prep course.

C. The students who took the SAT prep course did not score significantly higher on the SAT when compared to the general population of students who did not take the SAT prep course.

D. The students who took the SAT prep course did score significantly higher on the SAT when compared to the general population of students who did not take the SAT prep course.

Q4: The most appropriate null hypothesis (in symbols) would be

A. ?SATprep = 1050

B. ?SATprep = 1150

C. ?SATprep ? 1050

D. ?SATprep ? 1050

Q5: Set up the criteria for making a decision. That is, find the critical value using an alpha = .05. (Make sure you are sign specific: + ; - ; or ? ) (Use your tables)

Answer 1

Q1)  t-test

Q2) two-tailed test

Q3) A. There is no statistical difference in SAT scores when comparing students who took the SAT prep course with the general population of students who did not take the SAT prep course. Option A

Q4)  ?SATprep = 1050