Step 1.
Set up hypotheses and determine level of significance
Ho:
Ha: Should the alternative hypothesis be upper-tailed, lower-tailed, or two-tailed?
Step 2.
Select the appropriate test statistic
Insert Specific Formula (Consider sample size to determine Z-score or T-distribution)
PROBLEM VII. The Oregon Department of Health wishes to assess the impact of a new scenic biking
trail along the coastline on physical activity. Six months after completion of the biking trail, four hundred
residents of a coastal community are asked to report the number of minutes they spend in outdoor
physical activity each day. Similarly, four hundred residents of an inland community are asked to report
their activity levels. Does the data below support the Department of Health's hypothesis that there is a
difference in the levels of outdoor physical activity between coastal and inland communities? Use a 5%
level of significance to test the hypothesis.
Step 3.
Set up decision rule
Step 4.
Step 5.
Do NOT use your level of significance as a part of your decision rule. Be sure to use
only the critical values found in your appendices. Critical values are based upon the type
of test used, your sample size or degrees of freedom, your alternative hypothesis
(upper-tailed, lower-tailed, or two-tailed), and your level of significance.
When using a two-tailed test, be sure to include both positive and negative values of the
critical value.
Be sure to include the equal sign. For example, "Reject Ho if Z 1.960."
Compute the test statistic.
Please show all computations. If you do not show your computations, you will not
receive credit, even if your test statistic is correct.
Conclusion
There should be two parts to your conclusion-1) Your decision to either reject or fail to
reject the null hypothesis; and 2) You conclusion. Please state both portions. If we reject
the null hypothesis for an upper-tailed test, we can simply say "Reject the null hypothesis
because XXX value is greater than YYY value..."
Your conclusion statement should also reflect the null and alternative hypotheses. For
example, "We have statistically significant evidence to indicate a difference in
COASTAL COMMUNITY
INLAND COMMUNITY
42.1
3.4
36.8
3.3
1. Set Up Hypothesis and Determine Level of Significance
2. Select the Appropriate Test Statistic
3. Set Up the Decision Rule
Compute the Test Statistic
5. Decision and Conclusion