Lesson 4

Test of Means

LEARNING OUTCOME(S):
At the end of lesson, you are expected to:
 Formulate hypotheses
 Perform hypothesis testing (Concepts and terms, test for population
mean)
 Conduct data analysis and interpretation

We use inferential statistics because it allows us to measure behavior in

samples to learn more about the behavior in populations that are often too large or
inaccessible. We use samples because we know how they are related to populations.

The method in which we select samples to learn more about characteristics in

a given population is called hypothesis testing.

4.1 HYPOTHESIS TESTING

Hypothesis testing is the use of statistics to determine the probability that a

given hypothesis is true. Hypothesis testing is a technique to help determine
whether a specific treatment has an effect on the individuals in a population.

The hypothesis test is used to evaluate the results from a research study in
which

The treatment is
administered to the After treatment, the
A sample is selected individuals in the
sample.
from the population. sample are
measured

• If the individuals in the sample are noticeably different from the individuals in
the original population, we have evidence that the treatment has an effect.

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 A statistical hypothesis is a guess or conjecture about the numerical value
of some unknown population parameters. It can be considered an educated guess,
or speculation that assists the research in seeking the answer to the research
problem
• Expected outcome
• Three parts: IV, DV, population
• derived from theory

What do hypotheses really do?

• It guides the direction of the study
• It limits what shall be studied and what shall not
• It identifies facts that are relevant and those that are not
• It suggests which form of research design is likely to be most appropriate
• Provides a framework for organizing the conclusions that result from the
conduct of the research process

The goal of hypothesis testing is to determine the likelihood that a population

parameter, such as the mean, is likely to be true.

Kinds of Hypotheses
• Null hypothesis
• Alternative hypothesis

A null hypothesis, denoted by the symbol, . It is a claim of “no

difference” or “equal to”. The null hypothesis assumes that any kind of difference or
significance you see in a set of data is due to chance.
It is considered null because it denies the existence of any relationship
between or among variables

Example:

Ho: There is no significant difference between X and Y.

The opposing hypothesis is the alternative hypothesis denoted by

. The alternative hypothesis is a claim of “a difference in the population”.
Predicts a relationship between two or more variables
It is called a research hypothesis because its formulation is based on
gathering empirical evidence and deducing from theory. It is the statement we hope
or suspect is true, what we are trying to prove or the effect we are hoping to see

Example:
H1: There is a significant difference between X and Y.

TYPE OF TEST
There are two types of statistical tests: one-sided test and the two-sided.
One-sided test (one-tailed test or directional test) is a test where the critical region
is in one direction only.

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 Example: (One-sided test)

Null hypothesis: The IQ of the students is equal to 100.

𝛼
𝛼

Example:
Alternative hypothesis: The IQ of the
Example:
students is greater than 100.
Alternative hypothesis: The IQ of the
students is less than 100.

*Take note of the term, “less than or greater than”

Example: (2 – sided test)

A two-sided test (two-tailed test) has an alternative hypothesis of the form

. Its critical region is illustrated below

𝛼/2
𝛼/2

Example:
Alternative hypothesis: The IQ of the
students is not equal to 100.

*Take note of the term “not equal to”

Hypotheses flow from research problem

Example:
Problem: Is there a significant difference on the academic performance of the male
and female students?

Null hypothesis: There is no significant difference on the academic performance of

the male and female students.

Alternative hypothesis: There is a significant difference on the academic

performance of the male and female students.

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 This is a 2 –sided test because of “ there is a significant difference…” . The
statement does not say about greater than or less than.

In the hypothesis, the independent and dependent variables are present,

Dependent variable: academic performance

Independent variable: gender (male and female students)

Types of Error
We are bound to commit an error since the value of the parameter is
unknown. It cannot be avoided, thus, we try to find ways to avoid it. Statistical
procedures provide a scientific way by which the errors in making conclusion are
minimized.
In deciding whether to reject a hypothesis or not, two types of errors are
generally committed, the Type I and Type II errors.

State of Nature Action

Accept Ho Reject Ho
Ho is true Correct Decision Type I Error
Ho is false Type II Error Correct Decision

If the null hypothesis is true and it is rejected, then Type I error is

committed. On the other hand, if the null hypothesis is false and accepted, type II
error is being committed.

Significance Level ( )

The probability of committing Type I error is denoted by the Greek letter

(alpha). It is also popularly known as level of significance of the test. This is the
maximum probability with which we are willing to risk a Type I error. Any value of
can be specified, although in practice, is usually set at the values 0.05 or 0.01.

The probability of committing Type II error, (Beta) is difficult to compute

and be dealt in higher statistics.

Critical Region
The concept of the critical region is related to the idea of Type I error. It can
be determined after is specified.

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 A critical region or rejection region is a set of all possible values of a test
statistic for which Ho is rejected.
The set of all possible values of the test statistic, which could sometimes
range from negative infinity to positive infinity, is divided into two regions. These are
called the critical region and the acceptance region.

ACTIVITY 8
From the research problems provided, answer the
following

Hypotheses.
Ho:
_____________________________________.
Ha:
_____________________________________..
Significance level. _____
Type of test.
_____________________________________.
Number of sample. _________

Proceed to the next page

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Name/s______________________
Section Code: _________________

ACTIVITY 8 – Introduction to Hypothesis testing

Answer each of the following questions based on the research problems provided.

EXAMPLE

A food company wishes to know the length of corn received in a shipment. A

random sample of 20 corns were collected and measured and found to have a
mean length of 8.8 inches. It has been known that the standard deviation of
all the corn shipments is 1.5 inches. Is there a reason to believe that the
mean length of the corn is not 9 inches, at 0.05?

Steps:
1. Hypotheses. Ho: The mean length of the corn is equal to 9 inches.
Ha: The mean length of the corn is not equal to 9 inches.
2. Significance level. 0.05
3. Type of test. 2 – sided test because the Ha is “not equal to”
4. Number of sample. 20 corns

START HERE

1. The average weight of 100 randomly selected rice is 48.54 kilos with standard
deviation of 20 kilos. Test the hypothesis at a 0.01 level of significance that
the true mean weight is less than 50 kilos.

Hypotheses. Ho: _____________________________________.

Ha: _____________________________________..
Significance level. _____
Type of test. _____________________________________.
Number of sample. _________

2. The mean weight for baggage of 25 passengers from USA bound for the
Philippines to be checked in an international travel is 31.8 kilos with a
standard deviation of 16. Test the claim that the population mean baggage
weight is equal to 30 kilos at 0.02 level of significance.

Hypotheses. Ho: _____________________________________.

Ha: _____________________________________..
Significance level. _____
Type of test. _____________________________________.
Number of sample. _________

3. A random sample of 150 recorded deaths in the country during the past year
showed an average life span of 71.8 years, with a standard deviation of 8.9

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 years. Does this seem to indicate that the average life span today is greater
than 70 years? Use

Hypotheses. Ho: _____________________________________.

Ha: _____________________________________..
Significance level. _____
Type of test. _____________________________________.
Number of sample. _________

4. A researcher is interested in determining whether dressing professionally

increases self-esteem. Ten (10) participants was asked to dress casually and
another 10 participants to dress professionally for 1 week. At the end of the
week, participants completed a self-esteem evaluation. Is there a significant
difference on the self-esteem of the person based on the way they dress up?

Hypotheses. Ho: _____________________________________.

Ha: _____________________________________..
Significance level. _____
Type of test. _____________________________________.
Number of sample. _________

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