Practice Problems – Hypothesis Testing (Chapter 8)
1. A random sample (n=16) is selected from a normal population with a mean of μ = 30 and
a standard deviation of σ = 8. After a treatment is administered to the individuals in the
sample, the sample mean is found to be M = 33. Does the treatment have an effect on the
individuals?
2. A random sample (n=64) is selected from a normal population with a mean of μ = 30 and
a standard deviation of σ = 8. After a treatment is administered to the individuals in the
sample, the sample mean is found to be M = 33. Does the treatment have an effect on the
individuals?
3. Suppose a researcher conducting a study obtains a sample of n = 25 students Each student
completes the food variety questionnaire which produces a mean of M = 4.01 for the
fatty, sugary snack category. The results from a previous study showed an overall mean
score of μ = 4.22. Assume that the distribution of scores is approximately normal with a
standard deviation of σ = 0.60. Does the sample of students eat the same amount of fatty,
sugary snacks as the previous study?
4. Suppose a researcher conducting a study obtains a sample of n = 36 students. Each
student completes the food variety questionnaire with a mean of M = 4.48. The results
from a previous study showed an overall mean score of μ = 4.22. Assume that the
distribution of scores is approximately normal with a standard deviation of σ = 0.60.
Does the sample of students eat more fatty, sugary snacks?
5. In a study examining the effect of alcohol on reaction time, Liguori and Robinson (2001)
found that even moderate alcohol consumption significantly slowed response time to an
emergency situation in a driving simulation. In a similar study, researchers measured
reaction time 30 minutes after participants consumed one 6-ounce glass of wine. Again,
they used a standardized driving simulation task for which the regular population
averages μ = 400 msec. The distribution of reaction times is approximately normal with σ
= 40. Assume that the researcher obtained a sample mean of M = 422 for the n = 25
participants in the study. Assume alpha = 0.05
6. In a study examining the effect of alcohol on reaction time, researchers measured reaction
time 30 minutes after participants consumed one 6-ounce glass of wine. They used a
standardized driving simulation task for which the regular population averages μ = 400
msec. The distribution of reaction times is approximately normal with σ = 40. Assume
that the researcher obtained a sample mean of M = 422 for the n = 25 participants in the
study. Was the reaction time of the drinking sample different from the general
population? Assume alpha=0.05.
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Practice Problems – Hypothesis Testing (Chapter 8)
7. Researchers at a National Weather Center in the northeastern United States recorded the
number of 90° days each year since records first started in 1875. The numbers form a
normal shaped distribution with a mean of μ = 9.6 and a standard deviation of σ = 1.9. To
see if the data showed any evidence of global warming, they also computed the mean
number of 90° days for the most recent n = 4 years and obtained M = 12.25. Do the data
indicate that the past four years have had significantly more 90° days than would be
expected for a random sample from this population? Use a one-tailed test with α = .05.
8. The researcher obtains a sample of n = 16 adults who are older than 65 and gives each
participant a daily dose of a blueberry supplement that is very high in antioxidants. After
taking the supplement for 6 months, the participants are given a standardized cognitive
skills test and produce a mean score of M = 50.2. For the general population of elderly
adults, scores on the test average μ = 45 and form a normal distribution with σ = 9. Can
the researcher conclude that the supplement has a significant effect on cognitive skill?
Use a two-tailed test with α = .05.
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