Week 1: Assignment 1

The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.

Due on 2023-02-08, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-01-27, 20:27 IST

1 point
The attributes of truth are that it is

Unique
Absolute
Relative
Plural
Concrete
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Unique
Relative
Concrete
1 point
The position of idealism is that

Everybody should have an ideology

Idea is prior and matter is secondary
There are non-material entities in the world
Matter exists in our consciousness
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Idea is prior and matter is secondary
There are non-material entities in the world
Matter exists in our consciousness
1 point
The position of materialism is that

Matter exists independent of our consciousness

‘Eat, drink and be merry’ should be the motto of life
The world is composed of matter and nothing but matter
Matter is the way we see it
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Matter exists independent of our consciousness
The world is composed of matter and nothing but matter
1 point
The method of science rests on

Subjective idealism
Objective idealism
Subjective materialism
Objective materialism
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Objective materialism
1 point
Which of Mill's method(s) did Becquerel employ to conclude that the presence of potassium uranyl sulphate is
the cause of radiation?

The method of concomitant variation

The method of agreement
The method of difference
The method of residues
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The method of agreement
1 point
Which were the four causes behind any event, as proposed by Aristotle?

Syllogistic cause, inefficient cause, formal cause, material cause

Logical cause, modus ponens cause, final cause, efficient cause
Final cause, logical cause, material cause, syllogistic cause
Material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, final cause
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Material cause, formal cause, efficient cause, final cause
1 point
Hume’s criteria of causality were:

Agreement, concomitant variation and constant conjunction

Precedence, contiguity and constant conjunction
Concomitant variation, contiguity, and precedence
 Agreement, precedence, and constant conjunction
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Precedence, contiguity and constant conjunction
1 point
John Stuart Mill’s methods of ascertaining the cause of a phenomenon or event were:

Method of constant conjunction, method of agreement, method of residues, method of contiguity

Method of concomitant variation, method of agreement, method of precedence, method of contiguity
Method of concomitant variation, method of agreement, method of residues, method of difference
Method of constant conjunction, method of agreement, Method of concomitant variation, method of
contiguity
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Method of concomitant variation, method of agreement, method of residues, method of difference
1 point
What is the philosophical concept of ‘matter’?

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space

Matter is anything other than energy and radiation
Matter is anything that exists independent of our consciousness
Matter is anything that is knowable.
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Matter is anything that exists independent of our consciousness
1 point
What is the cause of the growth of a seed into a sapling?

(a) Existence of water

(b) Existence of air
(c) The right range of temperature
(a), (b) and (c) individually are causes
(a), (b) and (c) taken together is the cause.
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(a), (b) and (c) taken together is the cause.
Week 2: Assignment 2
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.

Due on 2023-02-08, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-02-07, 10:44 IST

1 point

It is given that “If copper is dipped in vinegar, then copper turns green”.

If copper is not dipped in vinegar, then copper does not turn green.

If copper turned green, then it must have been dipped in vinegar.

If copper did not turn green, then copper was not dipped in vinegar.

If copper is dipped in vinegar, then copper must turn green

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
If copper did not turn green, then copper was not dipped in vinegar.

If copper is dipped in vinegar, then copper must turn green

1 point

The following statements are given:

Statement 1: If the concentration of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in the air exceeds a threshold,

there will be a hole in the ozone layer.

Statement 2: If there is a hole in the ozone layer, a larger amount of ultraviolet radiation will
reach Earth's surface.

Statement 3: Ultraviolet radiation causes cancer.

What conclusions can you draw using valid logic if the following premise is also given?

There is an increase in CFC in the air beyond the threshold.

There is a hole in the ozone layer.

Death rate is increased.

There is very small amount of ultraviolet radiation in Earth’s surface

The incidence of cancer has increased.

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
There is a hole in the ozone layer.

The incidence of cancer has increased.

1 point

The following statements are given:

Statement 1: If the concentration of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in the air exceeds a threshold,

there will be a hole in the ozone layer.

Statement 2: If there is a hole in the ozone layer, a larger amount of ultraviolet radiation will
reach Earth's surface.

Statement 3: Ultraviolet radiation causes cancer.

What conclusions can you draw using valid logic if the following premise is also given?

A statistical survey showed that the incidence of cancer has increased.

There is an increase in CFC in the air beyond the threshold.

There is a hole in the ozone layer.

There is very large amount of ultraviolet radiation in Earth’s surface

None of the above.

No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
None of the above.

1 point

The following statements are given:

Statement 1: If the concentration of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in the air exceeds a threshold,

there will be a hole in the ozone layer.
Statement 2: If there is a hole in the ozone layer, a larger amount of ultraviolet radiation will
reach Earth's surface.
Statement 3: Ultraviolet radiation causes cancer.

What conclusions can you draw using valid logic if the following premise is also given?

A statistical survey showed that the incidence of cancer has not increased.

There is increase in CFC in the air beyond the threshold.

There is no hole in the ozone layer.

There is very high amount of ultraviolet radiation in Earth’s surface

None of the above

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
There is no hole in the ozone layer.

1 point

The following statements are given:

Statement 1: If the concentration of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in the air exceeds a threshold,

there will be a hole in the ozone layer.

Statement 2: If there is a hole in the ozone layer, a larger amount of ultraviolet radiation will
reach Earth's surface.
Statement 3: Ultraviolet radiation causes cancer.

What conclusions can you draw using valid logic if the following premise is also given?

A measurement showed that the amount of UV radiation reaching Earth's surface has
increased.

The incidence of cancer has increased

There is hole in the ozone layer.

There is increase in CFC in the air beyond the threshold.

All of the above

No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
The incidence of cancer has increased

1 point

The following premises are given.

Some particles have half-integer spin

No particle with half-integer spin is a boson.

What conclusions can you draw out of them?

All bosons are particles.

There are some particles which are not bosons.

Some bosons are not particles.

None of the above

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
There are some particles which are not bosons.
1 point

The following premises are given.

• All whales are mammals.

• Some mammals are carnivores

All whales are carnivores.

Some whales are not carnivores.

Some carnivores are mammal.

Some mammals are whales.

No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
Some carnivores are mammal.

Some mammals are whales.

1 point

Statement 1: A true conclusion can be derived from false premises,

Statement 2: A false conclusion cannot be derived from true premises.

Statement 3: The conclusion is true.

All of the premises are false.

At least one of the premises is false.

All of the premises may or may not be true.

At least one of the premises is true.

None of the above

No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
All of the premises may or may not be true.

1 point
Which of the following, according to Aristotle is not a type of structure a syllogistic argument
may have?

Every a is b

Some a is b

No a is no b

Some a are not b

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
No a is no b

1 point

When Edwin Hubble used Cepheid variables to find the distance to the Andromeda galaxy, he
was using

Inductive logic

Deductive logic

Both inductive and deductive logic

Quantitative inductive logic

No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
Both inductive and deductive logic
Week 3: Assignment 3
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-02-15, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-02-09, 14:30 IST

1 point
The transition from the hunting-gathering phase to agriculture initiated

Village and city life

Slavery
Industrial society
Music and art
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Village and city life
Slavery
1 point
The Greek philosopher Thales believed that everything in the world is made out of water. This is an example of

Subjective idealism
Objective idealism
Subjective materialism
Objective materialism
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Subjective materialism
1 point
According to Ptolemy,

The sun is at the centre of the solar system and the planets move in elliptical orbits
The Earth is at the centre of the solar system and the planets are embedded on crystal spheres
The Earth is at the centre of the solar system and the planets move in epicycles
The sun is at the centre of the solar system and the planets move in circular orbits
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The Earth is at the centre of the solar system and the planets move in epicycles
1 point
In the method of science, Rene Descartes emphasized the importance of
 Logical reasoning
Observation and collection of data
Application of mathematics
Application of inductive logic
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Logical reasoning
Application of mathematics
1 point
In the method of science, Francis Bacon emphasized the importance of

Application of inductive logic

Creative imagination
Observation and collection of data
Application of mathematics
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Application of inductive logic
Observation and collection of data
1 point
In the method of science, Galileo emphasized the importance of

Syllogistic logic
Subjective thinking
Objective thinking
The application of calculus
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Objective thinking
1 point
Giordano Bruno was burnt at stake because

He was a soldier in an enemy army

He stole the Church’s property
He committed adultery
He supported the Copernican idea of the solar system
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
He supported the Copernican idea of the solar system
1 point
The line of argument of William Palley was that

The Earth rotates around its axis

There is evolution in the biological world
Each organism is a product of intelligent design
The earth is flat
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Each organism is a product of intelligent design
1 point
The Vedic Age in India spanned approximately the period

9,000 BC to 3,000 BC
1,00,000 BC to 10,000 BC
Before the Indus Valley civilization
1,500 BC to 600 BC
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
1,500 BC to 600 BC
1 point
Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya belonged to the

Indus Valley Civilization

Post-Vedic Age
Vedic Age
Mughal period
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Post-Vedic Age
Week 4: Assignment 4
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-02-22, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-02-14, 11:11 IST

1 point
The characteristic features of a metaphysical outlook are

The belief that everything has fixed properties

The understanding that everything is in the process of change and evolution
The tendency of viewing things in isolation from their condition of existence
The idea that the Earth is at the centre of the universe
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The belief that everything has fixed properties
The tendency of viewing things in isolation from their condition of existence
1 point
The characteristic features of mechanical materialism are

The belief that matter does not exist independent of our consciousness
Viewing the world as law-governed, requiring no divine intervention
Viewing the world as a gigantic machine
The belief that science should be built based on personal realization
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Viewing the world as law-governed, requiring no divine intervention
Viewing the world as a gigantic machine
1 point
Positivism asserted that

The universe is infinite

Science should be based only on what we can observe and measure
Everything is made of atoms and molecules
The source of all knowledge is the sensations we receive through our five sense organs
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Science should be based only on what we can observe and measure
The source of all knowledge is the sensations we receive through our five sense organs
1 point
The characteristic features of scientific materialism are

The belief that matter does not exist independent of our consciousness
The understanding that everything is in the process of change and evolution
The realization that processes are more fundamental than things
The belief that biological organisms are a product of intelligent design
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The understanding that everything is in the process of change and evolution
The realization that processes are more fundamental than things
1 point
Einstein believed in

Positivism
Scientific materialism
Subjective thinking
Idealism
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Scientific materialism
1 point
Boltzmann’s work was rejected by scientists of the time because

It was proved to be wrong by contemporary positivists

He had a bad reputation as a scientist
He based his work on the assumption that atoms and molecules exist
His theory contradicted experimental results
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
He based his work on the assumption that atoms and molecules exist
1 point
A closed question is

A question one asks in a closed room

If you find out the answer to the question, it does not lead to further questions
A question asked in a courtroom
A part of the question-paper of an exam
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
If you find out the answer to the question, it does not lead to further questions
1 point
Thomas Kuhn proposed that

There are evolutionary and revolutionary developments in science

Science should believe in positivism
Einstein's theory of relativity is wrong
The development of science is marked by paradigm shifts
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
There are evolutionary and revolutionary developments in science
The development of science is marked by paradigm shifts
1 point
Which theory in science resulted in the development of mechanical materialism?

Galilean transformation
Theory of relativity
Newtonian mechanics
Darwin’s theory of evolution
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Newtonian mechanics
1 point
Regarding the existence of molecules, the position of positivism was

They exist independent of our consciousness

They exist in our consciousness
They can be seen with microscopes
Since they are not observable, they do not exist
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Since they are not observable, they do not exist
Week 5: Assignment 5
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-03-01, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-02-22, 09:32 IST

1 point
The term ‘falsifiability’ means

The possibility that a theory can be proved false through observations or experiments
The belief that all ideas in science are false
The belief that science does not know everything
The idea that one can fabricate false data to establish a theory
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The possibility that a theory can be proved false through observations or experiments
1 point
One has proposed a hypothesis A and has found an experimentally testable prediction B

If B is found to be true, then the hypothesis A is true

If B is found to be false, then the hypothesis A is false
If B is found to be true, the hypothesis A is false
If B is found to be false, the hypothesis A can still be true
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
If B is found to be false, then the hypothesis A is false
1 point
Suppose a person has died and a scientist forms a hypothesis about the cause of her death. It should be based
on

Her horoscope, i.e., the assumption that fate had a role to play
The facts on the circumstances of her death, obtained through observation
Material processes and phenomena that can cause death of a person
The possibility that she committed a sin in her previous birth
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The facts on the circumstances of her death, obtained through observation
Material processes and phenomena that can cause death of a person
1 point
The necessary features of a scientific hypothesis are

It should satisfy the observational facts about the phenomenon

One must have arrived at the hypothesis through deep thought
It should be falsifiable
It should have experimentally or observationally testable predictions
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
It should satisfy the observational facts about the phenomenon
It should be falsifiable
It should have experimentally or observationally testable predictions
1 point
A postulate is

A self-evident truth
A scientific guess about a law of nature
A mathematical theorem
An empirical observation
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
A scientific guess about a law of nature
1 point
A null hypothesis is

Not a hypothesis
A hypothesis about the character of zero
A hypothesis about vacuum energy
An opposite statement of the alternative hypothesis
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
An opposite statement of the alternative hypothesis
1 point
Reproducibility of a scientific result implies

The work should result in an industry which will produce the item in large numbers
An experimental animal should reproduce
Another scientist repeating the experiment should get the same result
The experimenter should be able to memorise the result and reproduce in an exam
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Another scientist repeating the experiment should get the same result
1 point
The criterion of falsifiability was proposed by

Charles Darwin
Francis Bacon
Karl Popper
Albert Einstein
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Karl Popper
1 point
‘Simplicity’ of a hypothesis implies

Its mathematics is easy to do

It makes very few a priori assumptions
It does not require expensive equipment to test
It can be expressed in simple language
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
It makes very few a priori assumptions
1 point
‘Conservatism’ of a hypothesis implies

It is based on the available knowledge about the laws of nature

It is proposed by the Conservative Party of England
A statement about energy conservation
An idea coming from a conservative family
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
It is based on the available knowledge about the laws of nature
Week 6: Assignment 6
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-03-08, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-03-08, 14:05 IST

Based on the following information, answer the questions (1 to 5)

Suppose you have measured the concentration of a substance in a solution by taking 25 samples from different
parts of a liquid and have obtained the following data (the figures are in ppm).

1.56, 1.58, 1.49, 1.49, 1.48, 1.62, 1.57, 1.46, 1.51, 1.54, 1.47, 1.44, 1.54, 1.46, 1.56, 1.43, 1.51, 1.43, 1.52,
1.55, 1.46, 1.44, 1.57, 1.58, 1.48

If you are to report the result in a paper, how will you specify the measured value? (round to four decimal
places)

Mean ______
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.5095,1.5097
0.5 points
error bar ± ______
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.0106,0.0110
0.5 points

Define a range in which the “true” value of the concentration must lie with 95% probability. (round to two
decimal places). The range is (x to y)

x range
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.48,1.49
0.5 points
y range
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.530,1.531
0.5 points
With what confidence level can you state that the actual value lies in the range 1.5 ppm to 1.5192 ppm? (round
to two decimal places)
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.61,0.63
(Type: Range) 61,63
1 point
A scientist could take only 10 measurements on the molecular weight of a new compound, and the measured
values were 41.8, 42.5, 46.1, 50.1, 48.9, 43.6, 47.3, 44.8, 43.8, 44.2. What is the standard error in
mean?((round to two decimal places)
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.84,0.88
1 point
2 points
Do the data provide sufficient evidence to say that the compound’s molecular weight is less than 46.5? Here
“sufficient evidence” implies that the probability that the statement is wrong is less than 0.01 or 1%.

Yes
No
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
No
1 point
Suppose you have detected a systematic error in your experiment. What steps would you take to eliminate it?

Use the Central Limit Theorem and calculate the error bar
Use two or more different techniques to make the same measurement
Take a larger number of data points
Check the calibration of the instruments you are using
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Use two or more different techniques to make the same measurement
Check the calibration of the instruments you are using
1 point
An error bar around a measured value implies

The actual value must lie within the error bar

The outliers in the data may vary to the extent of the error bar
The probability that the actual value lies within the error bar is 0.683
We can state with 99% confidence that the actual value lies within the error bar
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The probability that the actual value lies within the error bar is 0.683
1 point
The standard error of the mean is

An error committed in calculating the mean value of a few measurements

Standard deviation of the readings obtained divided by the square root of the number of data points
The standard deviation of the distribution of the mean values if one did the experiment repeatedly, taking
the same number of data points each time
An indicator of the experimental ability of a scientist
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Standard deviation of the readings obtained divided by the square root of the number of data points
The standard deviation of the distribution of the mean values if one did the experiment repeatedly, taking the
same number of data points each time
1 point
A bioscientist only can take 6 observations for his measurement as the restriction of the live time of the bacteria
he is working with. In his case, how can one define the confidence level?

There is no confidence level for his observation

He can define the confidence level using “Normal Distribution”
He can define the confidence level using “t Distribution”
He can define his own confidence level
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
He can define the confidence level using “t Distribution”
Week 7: Assignment 7
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-03-15, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-03-15, 15:11 IST

Suppose there are two strains in a species of bacteria – one benign and the other virulent. You have read a
paper that says more than 32% of the bacteria are virulent. You have repeated the experiment and cultured the
bacteria. Then you pick up a bit of the culture and find 200 bacteria in it. On closer inspection, you find that 76
of them are of the virulent strain.

1 point
Does your observation support the report in the paper with a 95% level of confidence?

Yes
No
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Yes
What was the value of z? (Round upto 2 decimal places)
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 2
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.81,1.82
2 points

Find the minimum, the median (Q2), lower quartile (Q1), upper quartile (Q3), and the maximum for the following
data obtained in an experiment. Identify if there is any outlier and draw a box-and-whisker plot.

[88, 86, 74, 60, 56, 19, 53, 73, 78, 70, 80, 24, 85, 68, 75]

What is the mean value that you can report? (Round upto 2 decimal places)

Minimum =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 24
0.5 points
Q1 =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 56
0.5 points
Q2 =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 73
0.5 points
Q3 =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 80
0.5 points
Maximum =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 88
0.5 points
Mean =
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 69.28,69.29
0.5 points

You have conducted an experiment to measure two values x and y, and have obtained the following data.

x values: mean=4.8, SD=0.36, number of data points: 36

y values: mean=6.6, SD=0.28, number of data points: 49

(a) Calculate the extremities of the error bars in x and y.

(b) Calculate the estimated values of the quantities x+y, xy, and ln(x), including the error bars.
(c) Define a range of x in which the “true” value of x must lie with 99% probability. (Round all answer upto 2
decimal places)

x+y : __a__ ± __b__

a value = _____
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 11.4
0.5 points
x+y : __a__ ± __b__

b value = _____
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.07,0.08
0.5 points
xy : __a__ ± __b__

a value = _____
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 31.6,31.7
0.5 points
xy : __a__ ± __b__

b value = _____
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.40,0.45
0.5 points
ln(x) : __a__ ± __b__

a value = _____
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.5,1.6
0.5 points
ln(x) : __a__ ± __b__

b value = _____
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.01,0.02
0.5 points
The lower limit is __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 4.64,4.65
0.5 points
The upper limit is _________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.5
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 4.95,4.96
Week 8: Assignment 8
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-03-22, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-03-16, 15:54 IST

In a hypothesis testing experiment, you have collected data from two populations (you may think of anything
from your discipline representing the populations). You have obtained the sample mean and standard deviation
as:

Test statistic z� = ____

Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 2.06,2.068
1 point
1 point
The null hypothesis _______ be rejected with 95% confidence.

Can
Cannot
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Can

A new drug is proposed to lower total cholesterol. A randomised controlled trial is designed to evaluate the
efficacy of the medication in lowering cholesterol. A total of 52 participants are enrolled in the trial and are
randomly assigned to receive either the new drug or a placebo. The participants do not know which treatment
they are assigned. Each participant is asked to take the assigned treatment for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks,
each patient’s total cholesterol level is measured and the sample statistics are as follows:
Is there statistical evidence of a reduction in mean total cholesterol in patients taking the new drug for 6 weeks
as compared to participants taking a placebo? Obtain the test statistic(up to 3 decimal places)

Test statistic Z� = ____

Yes, the answer is correct.

Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 1.172,1.173
1 point
1 point
The new drug ________ have an effect on one’s total cholesterol level.

Does
Doesn't
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Doesn't

Based on the following information, answer the questions 5 - 7:

Suppose scientists have hypothesized that a substance V decreases the possibility of infection by the COVID-
19 virus, i.e., it acts as a vaccine. You want to test, in two separate laboratories, if it is really effective. You
gather a number of people (a proper sample of all ages and sex). You apply V on 220 people in Lab-A, 200
people in Lab-B, and a placebo on 200 people. After a year you take a survey and find that, out of the people
who got V in Lab-A, 40 got sick of COVID-19; out of those who got V in Lab-B, 36 got sick; and out of the
people who got the placebo, 50 got sick. Using a χ2χ2 test with a significance level of 10%, what conclusion
can you reach regarding the efficacy of the vaccine? The answer should give the test statistic and
the χ2χ2 value needed to reject the null hypothesis.(Round all the answer upto 3 decimal)

χ2χ2 = ____
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 10.68,10.683
2 points
The value required to reject the null hypothesis: _______
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 4.604,4.606
1 point
1 point
The proposed vaccine ______ effect on the disease

Has
Does not have
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
Has
1 point
An error is called a Type-2 error when

The null hypothesis is accepted when it is actually false

The null hypothesis is rejected when it is actually true
The scientist makes an error in the reading the z-table
The random errors have smudged the data
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The null hypothesis is accepted when it is actually false
1 point
A double-blind experiment is conducted

To eliminate experimenter bias

To eliminate experimental subject bias
By employing two blind people to conduct an experiment
To eliminate both experimenter bias as well as experimental subject bias
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
To eliminate both experimenter bias as well as experimental subject bias

Week 9: Assignment 9
The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-03-29, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-03-29, 16:13 IST

Based on the following information, answer the questions 1 to 3:

The force F on object falling through a viscous medium bubble is dependent on the viscosity of the fluid of the
material, the radius r of the object and terminal velocity V of the object. Use dimensional analysis to find the
nature of dependence. Assume

F=KμxryVz Find x,y,z.

x = __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 1
1 point
y = __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 1
1 point
z = __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Numeric) 1
1 point

Based on the following information, answer the questions 4 to 7:

A coil of metal wire has an inductance L as well as a resistance R. You want to measure the impedance Z by
applying a sinusoidal voltage V of variable frequency f and measuring the current I=(Z=V/I). You know the
impedance Z is given by

Z2=R2+4π2f2L2
You proceed by plotting Z2 on the y axis and f2 on the x axis, to obtain the best straight line fit y=mx+b, with
an intention to obtain L from m and R from b. The data obtained are as follows.

Obtain the best fit values of R and L (including the error bars).(upto two decimal places).

R = __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 59.60,59.70
1 point
The error bar in R is ±± ______________ ΩΩ
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.40,0.45
1 point
L = __________
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.55,0.86
1 point
The error bar in L is ±± ______________ H

Yes, the answer is correct.

Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.01,0.012
1 point

Based on the following information, answer the questions 8 to 11:

Suppose you are experimenting to investigate the temperature dependence of the resistance of a wire made of
an alloy. You assume that the textbook relation R=R0(1+αT) holds, where R0 is the resistance at 0°C,α is the
temperature coefficient of resistance, and R is the resistance at temperature T. The data obtained are as
follows:

T(∘c10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100
R(Ω)16,15.9,17.5,18.0,19.2,18.9,20.2,21.0,22,23
Neglect the uncertainty in the measurement of temperature.

Using the method of least squares, find the best values of R0 and α. State the results in a scientifically
meaningful way.

R0 = __________ Ω
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 0.75
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 14.80,14.90
0.75 points
The error bar in R0 is ±± __________ Ω

No, the answer is incorrect.

Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 0.26,0.27
0.75 points
α __________ 10−310−3
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 5.2,5.3
0.75 points
The error bar in α is ±± __________ 10−410−4
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
(Type: Range) 3.0,3.1
0.75 points

Week 10: Assignment 10

The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-04-05, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-04-03, 15:49 IST

1 point
Suppose you have written a research paper and are considering the following alternative titles. Which one
meets all the desirable criteria?

Studies on the effect of Remdesivir on COVID-19 patients of the 40-60 age group
The Effect Of Remdesivir On COVID-19 Patients Of The 40-60 Age Group
Studies on the Effect of Remdesivir on COVID-19 Patients of the 40-60 Age Group
The Effect of Remdesivir on COVID-19 Patients of the 40-60 Age Group
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The Effect of Remdesivir on COVID-19 Patients of the 40-60 Age Group
1 point
Is the following abstract of a paper in proper form? What are the problems?

Abstract: In previous years several theoretical papers discussed if time can be an emergent property
deriving from quantum correlations. Here, to provide insight into how this phenomenon can occur, we present
an experiment that illustrates Page and Wootters’ mechanism of “static” time [1], and Gambini et al. for
subsequent refinements [2].
A static, entangled state between a clock system and the rest of the universe is perceived as evolving
by internal observers that test the correlations between the two subsystems. We implement this mechanism
using an entangled state of the polarization of two photons:
Finally, we derives equation (13) which quantifies the entangled state.

The abstract is too long

The abstract has paragraph break
The abstract has displayed equation
The abstract has references
The abstract refers to an equation which appears in the body of the paper
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
The abstract has paragraph break
The abstract has displayed equation
The abstract has references
The abstract refers to an equation which appears in the body of the paper
1 point
The Introduction section of a paper contains:

Problem statement
Literature Survey
Simulation results
Results with graphs and tables
An outline of the methodology followed
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Problem statement
Literature Survey
An outline of the methodology followed
1 point
Which of the following are acceptable formats of references?

E. N. Lorenz. Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow.

E. N. Lorenz. Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 20(2):130–141, 1963.
E. N. Lorenz, “Deterministic nonperiodic flow,” Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, vol. 20, no. 2, pp.
130–141, 1963.
E. N. Lorenz. Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 130–141, 1963.
E. N. Lorenz, J. Atmos. Sc., 20, 130 (1963).
Partially Correct.
Score: 0.66
Accepted Answers:
E. N. Lorenz. Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 20(2):130–141, 1963.
E. N. Lorenz, “Deterministic nonperiodic flow,” Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 130–
141, 1963.
E. N. Lorenz, J. Atmos. Sc., 20, 130 (1963).
1 point
A vector graphic image is

A drawing of vectors
A graph where vectors are drawn
An image format that does not become blocky upon enlargement
An image that is made up of innumerable dots
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
An image format that does not become blocky upon enlargement
1 point
A raster graphic image is

Generated by image processing programs like MS-Paint, Photoshop, etc.

Made up of tiny dots in four colours
Stored in file formats like jpg, bmp, png, etc.
Image of a duty roster
Partially Correct.
Score: 0.67
Accepted Answers:
Generated by image processing programs like MS-Paint, Photoshop, etc.
Made up of tiny dots in four colours
Stored in file formats like jpg, bmp, png, etc.
1 point
One should try to build theories in science

Based only on what is observed

Avoiding speculation on things that are not yet observed
Regarding observed things and phenomena as well as what are not yet observed
The only purpose of theory building should be to relate measurements
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Regarding observed things and phenomena as well as what are not yet observed
1 point
The difference between a hyphen and a dash is that

A hyphen is short and a dash is long

A dash is used when a long word is broken at the end of a line
 A hyphen is used only in titles and section headings and a dash is used in the text
A hyphen is used to join two words and a dash is used to join two sentence fragments
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
A hyphen is short and a dash is long
A hyphen is used to join two words and a dash is used to join two sentence fragments
1 point
Which of the following graphs has axis labels suitable for publication?
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
1 point
The conclusion section of a paper can contain

an acknowledgement of funding support

a summary of critical results
a reiteration of the points raised in the introduction
references to cited articles
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
a summary of critical results

Week 11: Assignment 11

The due date for submitting this assignment has passed.
Due on 2023-04-12, 23:59 IST.

Assignment submitted on 2023-04-12, 18:34 IST

1 point
The proper number of slides for an oral presentation is

Approximately double the number of minutes allotted

Approximately half the number of minutes allotted
 Approximately the number of minutes allotted
Approximately three times the number of minutes allotted
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Approximately the number of minutes allotted
1 point
In preparing slides, the 6 × 6 rule implies

No more than six pictures in a slide, with 6 figure captions

No more than about 6 lines of text per slide with 6 words per line
No more than 6 equations in a slide, with 6 symbols
No more than 6 colours, in 6 shades
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
No more than about 6 lines of text per slide with 6 words per line
1 point
In an oral presentation, most slides should be dominated by

Images
Equations
Tables
Text
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Images
1 point
In preparing slides for oral presentation,

One should write on the slide what one is going to say

One should write a minimum of text, as bullet points
There should be at least 10 bullet points on a slide
In a slide, one should use as many colours and fonts as possible
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
One should write a minimum of text, as bullet points
1 point
The font size of the text (not heading) in a slide should be

Around 12 points
 Around 18 points
Around 24 points
Around 48 points
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Around 24 points
1 point
The size of the running text in a conference poster should be

Between 40 and 48 points

Between 50 and 56 points
Between 20 and 24 points
Between 12 and 16 points
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
Between 20 and 24 points
1 point
In presenting a poster, one should prepare to speak to most participants for

One hour
30 minutes
10 minutes
3-4 minutes
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
3-4 minutes
1 point
The purpose of the ‘synopsis’ of a PhD thesis is

To disseminate the work among a larger audience

Partial fulfilment of the requirement of a PhD degree
The synopsis will be kept in the library
To obtain the consent of the examiners
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
To disseminate the work among a larger audience
1 point
The sentences in a paper should preferably be constructed in
 Active voice
Passive voice
Singular first person (I carried out ...)
Third person (The study showed ...)
Plural first person (We carried out …)
No, the answer is incorrect.
Score: 0
Accepted Answers:
Active voice
Third person (The study showed ...)
Plural first person (We carried out …)
1 point
The stress position in a sentence comes

In the beginning
In the end
Somewhere in the middle
Just next to the topic position
Yes, the answer is correct.
Score: 1
Accepted Answers:
In the end

Week 12: Assignment 12

Due date: 2023-04-19, 23:59 IST.
Assignment not submitted

1 point
The term 'fabrication' in the context of scientific misconduct means

To fabricate an instrument that gives incorrect results

To make up fake data or results
A term related to the science of textile fabric
To submit a paper to a fake journal
1 point
Copying and pasting chunks of text from somebody else's work into a paper is

An acceptable practice
Called 'deception'
 Called 'distortion'
Called 'plagiarism'
1 point
Copying and pasting from one's own paper into another paper is

An acceptable practice
Is called 'fabrication'
Is called 'self-plagiarism'
Is called 'distortion'
1 point
After the publication of a paper,

The raw data is no longer needed

The raw data may be needed if a dispute arises
The raw data should be discarded through a shredder
The raw data should be retained as long as possible
1 point
The corresponding author is

The author who has maximum contribution to the work

The author who is responsible for answering all queries regarding the paper
The supervisor
The student
1 point
The term 'predatory journal' implies

A biology journal that specializes on predators

An online journal
A journal that publishes papers for a fee, with practically no review
A printed journals
1 point
Deliberate omission of outliers from the data-set amounts to

Plagiarism
Fabrication
Distortion
Breach in confidentiality
1 point
When you are asked to review a paper, the following are considered misconduct:

Discussing the content of the paper in your research group

Rejecting the paper and then carrying out that idea to publish your own paper
 Asking the author to cite your own papers
Basing the review on the name and fame of the authors
1 point
The following amount to scientific misconduct

Failing to realize that a systematic error has got into the measurements
Removing those data points that contradict the scientist's hypothesis
Conducting an experiment aiming at establishing one's personal belief
Choosing the experimental group and control group preferentially, without randomization
1 point
The following practices are NOT considered scientific misconduct

Publishing one's scientific work in newspapers without publishing in peer-reviewed journals

Copying and pasting from one's own papers into the same person's PhD thesis
A wrong result obtained due to an inadvertent programming error
Deliberately stating measured values without error-bars
Solution: Week 6, assignments: 1. 1. Suppose you have measured the concentration of a substance in a
solution by taking 25 samples from different parts of a liquid and have obtained the following data (the
figures are in ppm).
1.56,1.58,1.49,1.49,1.48,1.62,1.57,1.46,1.51,1.54,1.47,1.44,1.54,1.46,1.56,1.43,1.51,1.
43,1.52,1.55,1.46,1.44,1.57,1.58,1.48

(a) If you are to report the result in a paper, how will you specify the measured value?( round to four
decimal places)(1)

Ans: Mean ______ (1.5095 to 1.5097), error bar ± ______ (0.0106 to 0.0110)

(b) Define a range in which the “true” value of the concentration must lie with 95% probability.(round to
two decimal places) (1)

Ans: The range is (x to y), x range (1.48,1.49), y range (1.530,1.531)

(c) With what confidence level can you state that the actual value lies in the range 1.5 ppm to 1.5192
ppm? (round to two decimal places) (1)

Ans: range (0.61, 0.63) and (61,63) Both are correct

Model answer:

The mean of the given measurements = 1.5096

Variance = 0.00287

Standard deviation = 0.05473

Number of data points = 25

Therefore standard error of the mean = 0.05473/5 =0.0109

The measured value has to be specified as 1.5096 ± 0.0109

The true value lies with 95% confidence in the range [1.5096 ± 1.96×0.0109] 1.5 and 1.5192 are away
from the mean 1.5096 by ±0.0096, i.e., 0.897 standard deviations. For this z value, the area to the left of
the normal distribution curve is 0.8133. Therefore the area within ±z is (0.8133-0.5)×2 = 0.6266 =
62.66%.

2. A scientist could take only 10 measurements on the molecular weight of a new compound, and the
measured values were 41.8, 42.5, 46.1, 50.1, 48.9, 43.6, 47.3, 44.8, 43.8, 44.2. What is the standard error
in mean?((round to two decimal places) (1)

Ans:0.85-0.87 Do the data provide sufficient evidence to say that the compound’s molecular weight is
less than 46.5? Here “sufficient evidence” implies that the probability that the statement is wrong is less
than 0.01 or 1%. (2)

Ans: No
Model answer:

The mean of the given measurements = 45.31

Variance = 6.73

Standard deviation =2.735

Number of data points = 10

Therefore, standard error of the mean = 2.7351/√10=0.8649

Assuming the actual value to be 58.5, we find the odds of getting a mean value of 45.13.
t=(45.31−46.5)÷(0.0.8649)=-1.449

Degree of freedom = 10-1 = 9 The t-table shows that DoF=9, the critical value of t for 0.01 degree of
significance is -3.25. Therefore the probability of getting an average of 56.75 if the actual value is 46.5 or
higher is greater than 1%. So there is not enough evidence that the compound’s actual molecular weight
is less than 58.5.
Solution:

Week 7, assignments:

1. Suppose there are two strains in a species of bacteria – one benign and the other

virulent. You have read a paper that says more than 32% of the bacteria are virulent.

You have repeated the experiment and cultured the bacteria. Then you pick up a bit of

the culture and find 200 bacteria in it. On closer inspection, you find that 76 of them are

of the virulent strain. Does your observation support the report in the paper with a 95%

level of confidence? What was the value of z?(Round upto 2 decimal places)

(1+2)

Ans: Yes. The value of z=1.81 to 1.82

Model answer:

Null hypothesis H0 : p≤0.32, Alternative hypothesis H1: p>0.32

Assume the highest value of the null hypothesis, p=0.32. If this is true, what is the

probability of getting 76/200=0.38 in the experiment? If the probability is less than 5%,

we reject the null.

Both 0.32×200 and 0.68×200 are bigger than 10; so the sampling distribution of

proportions will be approximately a normal distribution with a mean of 0.32 and a

standard deviation of

√(p(1-p)/n) = √(0.32(1-0.32)/200) = 0.03298

Since we have got the value of 0.38, z=(0.38-0.32)/0.03298=1.82

For this value of z, the area to the left of the normal distribution is 0.9656

Therefore, if the null hypothesis is true, the probability of finding a value of 0.37 is

1-0.9656=0.0344

Since this is less than 5%, we can reject the null hypothesis.

So our experiment does support the result reported in the paper.

2. Find the minimum, the median (Q2), lower quartile (Q1), upper quartile (Q3), and the

maximum for the following data obtained in an experiment. Identify if there is any outlier

and draw a box-and-whisker plot.

[88, 86, 74, 60, 56, 19, 53, 73, 78, 70, 80, 24, 85, 68, 75]
What is the mean value that you can report? (Round upto 2 decimal places)

(½×6)

Ans: Minimum=24, Q1=56, Q2=73, Q3=79, maximum = 88, Mean = (69.28,69.29)

Model answer:

Arranging the numbers in ascending order, we get

19, 24, 53, 56, 60, 68, 70, 73, 74, 75, 78, 80, 85, 86, 88

There are 15 numbers, and so the median is the 8th number: 73.

The median of the numbers below 73 is the 4th number: 56

The median of the numbers above 73 is the 12th number: 80

So, the inter-quartile range is 80-56=24

The lowest of the acceptable range is 56-1.5×24=20

The highest of the acceptable range is 80+1.5×24=116

Since 19 is less than 20, it is identified as an outlier. There is no outlier on the higher

side. So the quartiles become minimum=24, Q1=56, Q2=73, Q3=80, maximum = 88.

The mean value calculated excluding the outlier is 69.2857

3. You have conducted an experiment to measure two values x and y, and have

obtained the following data.

x values: mean=4.8, SD=0.36, number of data points: 36

y values: mean=6.6, SD=0.28, number of data points: 49

(a) Calculate the extremities of the error bars in x and y.

(1)

(b) Calculate the estimated values of the quantities x+y, xy, and ln(x), including the error

bars. (2)

(c) Define a range of x in which the “true” value of x must lie with 99% probability.

(1)

(Round all answer upto 2 decimal places)

Ans:

(a) The lower limit of the error-bar in x is ____ (4.7,4.75), and the upper limit is ____

(4.8,4.9).
The lower limit of the error-bar in y is ____ (6.5,6.57), and the upper limit is ____

(6.6,6.7)

(b) x+y : ____ ± ____ (11.4) (0.07, 0.08)

xy : ____ ± ____ (31.6,31.7) (0.40, 0.45)

ln(x) : ____ ± ____ (1.5,1.6) (0.01, 0.02)

(c) The lower limit is (4.64,4.65) and the upper limit is (4.95, 4.96).

Model answer:

(a) x has to be specified as 4.8±0.36/√36=4.8±0.06. Therefore the extremities are 4.74

and 4.86.

y has to be specified as 6.6±0.28/√49=6.6±0.04. Therefore the extremities are 6.56 and

6.64.

(b) x+y : mean = 4.8+6.6=11.4, SE= √(0.06^2+0.04^2)=0.0721

xy : mean = 4.8×6.6=31.68, SE= 31.68×√(0.06/4.8)^2+(0.04/6.6)^2 = 0.44352

ln(x) : mean = ln(4.8) = 1.569, SE = dln(x)/dx × 0.068 = 1/ 4..8 × 0.06 = 0.0125

(c) The true value of x lies in the range 4.8±2.58×0.06 = (4.6452,4.9548) with 99%

Probability
Solution:

Week 8, assignments:

1. In a hypothesis testing experiment, you have collected data from two populations

(you may think of anything from your discipline representing the populations). You have

obtained the sample mean and standard deviation as:

Population A: nA = 52, x̄ A = 81.7, sA = 5.65

Population B: nB = 47, x̄ B = 79.5, sB = 4.95

If the hypotheses can be stated as H0 : µA = µB and H1 : µA > µB , obtain the test

statistic (upto 3 decimal places) and check if there enough ground for rejecting the null

hypothesis. (1+1)

Ans: Test statistic z= ____ (2.06,2.068). Yes, the null hypothesis can be rejected.

Model answer:

Since the number of samples in each category is > 25, we should apply the z test.

The estimated standard error is √(5.65^2/52 + 4.95^2/47) = 1.065

The test statistic is z= (81.7-79.5)/1.065 = 2.066

Since the z value is greater than 1.96, the null hypothesis can be rejected with 95%

confidence.

2. A new drug is proposed to lower total cholesterol. A randomised controlled trial is

designed to evaluate the efficacy of the medication in lowering cholesterol. A total of 52

participants are enrolled in the trial and are randomly assigned to receive either the new

drug or a placebo. The participants do not know which treatment they are assigned.

Each participant is asked to take the assigned treatment for 6 weeks. At the end of 6

weeks, each patient’s total cholesterol level is measured and the sample statistics are

as follows:

Treatment Sample size Mean Standard deviation

New drug 32 227.4 29.9

Placebo 28 218.6 28.2

Is there statistical evidence of a reduction in mean total cholesterol in patients taking the
new drug for 6 weeks as compared to participants taking a placebo? Obtain the test

statistic(up to 3 decimal places) and

(1+1)

Answer: Test statistic Z = _____ (1.172, 1.173)

The new drug does/doesn’t have an effect on one’s total cholesterol level.

Model answer:

Null hypothesis H0: μcontrol = μexperiment , Alternative hypothesis H1: μcontrol >

μexperiment

The estimated standard error is √(28.2^2/28 + 29.9^2/32) = 7.506

The test statistic is z= (227.4-218.6)/7.506 = 1.172

Since the z value is less than 1.96, the null hypothesis can not be rejected with 95%

confidence.

3. Suppose scientists have hypothesized that a substance V decreases the possibility of

infection by the COVID-19 virus, i.e., it acts as a vaccine. You want to test, in two

separate laboratories, if it is really effective. You gather a number of people (a proper

sample of all ages and sex). You apply V on 220 people in Lab-A, 200 people in Lab-B,

and a placebo on 200 people. After a year you take a survey and find that, out of the

people who got V in Lab-A, 40 got sick of COVID-19; out of those who got V in Lab-B,

36 got sick; and out of the people who got the placebo, 50 got sick. Using a χ2 test with

a significance level of 10%, what conclusion can you reach regarding the efficacy of the

vaccine? The answer should give the test statistic and the χ2 value needed to reject the

null hypothesis.(Round all the answer upto 3 decimal)

Ans: χ2 = ___ (10.68, 10.683)

(2)

The value required to reject the null hypothesis: ____ (4.604, 4.606) (1)

Conclusion: The proposed vaccine has an effect on the disease. (1)

Model answer:

Null hypothesis H0: V has no effect on the possibility of sickness due to COVID-19

Alternative hypothesis H1: V is effective as a vaccine

Among 220 who has placebo , 50 got sick. The expected probability of getting sick is

50/200=0.25

Contingency table:

Sick Not sick Total

Control (placebo applied) 50 150 200

Expected 50 150

Experimental (in Lab-A) 40 180 220

Expected 55 165

Experimental (in Lab-B) 36 164 200

Expected 50 150

Total 136 504 640

Out of a total of 380 people, 76 got sick. Probability 136/640=0.21. If the null hypothesis

is correct, the same probability should apply to all categories. This gives the expected

values. The data show that those who got the vaccine did have a lower number of

infection than expected. But can that be accounted by random fluctuations? To check

we obtain the test statistic

χ2= (40-55)^2/55 + (180-165)^2/165 + (36-50)^2/50 + (164-150)^2/150

=10.6812

The degree of freedom is (3-1)×(2-1)=2

The χ2 table shows that for DoF=2 and level of significance 0.1, the χ2 value needed to

reject the null hypothesis is 4.605. Since the obtained value is greater that, we can

reject the null hypothesis.