RES 342 Week 1

Assignments from the E-Text

Prepare answers to the following assignments from the e-text, Applied Statistics in Business and Economics, by Doane and Seward:

Chapter 8 Chapter Exercises 8.48 and 8.64

Hypothesis Identification Article Analysis

Use the UOP Online Library or the Electronic Reading Reserve (ERR) to locate a peer-reviewed article that reports original research and pertains to a specific, stated hypothesis that was used to validate a research study. Use "major databases (eg - ProQuest)" in the Online Collection, and the key search words "research studies in" to obtain an article. You can select communication, finance, economics, marketing, technology, or other faculty approved topic for the research study.

Prepare a 350-700-word analysis of your selected article. Start by identifying and summarizing the hypothesis described in the article. Then explain whether the hypothesis was rejected or accepted, and what the implications of this finding are for the study.

Be sure to properly cite your article, and be prepared to discuss your analysis in class.

Discussion Questions

What are the steps espoused by the textbook (or instructor) for formal hypothesis testing? Explain why the sequence is important? What might happen if the hypothesis test is performed before the researcher has decided on the significance level?

Explain the difference between a left-tailed, two-tailed, and right-tailed test. When would we choose a two-tailed test? How can we tell the direction of the test by looking at a pair of hypothesis? How can we tell which direction (or no direction) to make the hypothesis by looking at the problem statement (research question)?

Explain the difference between the null hypothesis and the alternate hypothesis. How is the null hypothesis chosen (why is it null)? What is the importance of rejecting the null hypothesis in relation of the sample to the population? With a failure to reject the null hypothesis, can we make a general statement about the population based on the sample findings?

What is the different between a hypothesis and a theory? Support your answer with an example.

Selecting type of survey is one of the most critical decisions in social research. What consideration you may use to select a survey method?

Why is statistical significance not necessarily of practical important difference to a business decision? Provide an example and explain. Why do statisticians play only a limited role in deciding whether statistical significance requires a business action?