Testing Hypotheses for Means
This week you have explored three different approaches to t tests. By this point, you know that each test has assumptions about the data and type of research questions it can answer. For this Assignment, you will be provided with three scenarios. As you read the scenarios, be sure and think about aligning the appropriate t test with the question. Consider whether the data are independent samples and if two samples are being compared.
To prepare for this Assignment:
- Review the Learning Resources and the media programs related to t tests.
- For additional support, review the Skill Builder: Research Design and Statistical Design and the Skill Builder: Hypothesis Testing for Independent Samples t-test, which you can find by navigating back to your Blackboard Course Home Page. From there, locate the Skill Builder link in the left navigation pane.
- Also, review the t test scenarios found in this week’s Learning Resources and consider the three different approaches of t tests:
- Independent sample t test
- Paired sample t test
- One sample t test
- Based on each of the three research scenarios provided, open the High School Longitudinal Study dataset or the Afrobarometer dataset from this week’s Learning Resources using SPSS software, then choose and run the appropriate t test.
- Once you perform your t test analyses, review Chapter 11 of the Wagner text to understand how to copy and paste your output into your Word document. Testing Hypotheses for Means Help
Assignment Task:
Write a 3-paragraph analysis of your t test results for each research scenario and include the SPSS syntax and output. If you are using the Afrobarometer Dataset, report the mean of Q1 (Age). If you are using the HS Long Survey Dataset, report the mean of X1SES. Do not forget to evaluate if the t test assumptions are met, justify the selection of type of t test, and report the effect size. Based on your results, provide an explanation of what the implications of social change might be. Testing Hypotheses for Means Help
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Learning Resources
Required Readings
Frankfort-Nachmias, C., Leon-Guerrero, A., & Davis, G. (2020). Social statistics for a diverse society (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 8, “Testing Hypothesis” (pp. 243-279)
Wagner, III, W. E. (2020). Using IBM® SPSS® statistics for research methods and social science statistics (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 6, “Testing Hypotheses Using Means and Cross-Tabulation” (previously read in Week 5)
- Chapter 11, “Editing Output” (previously read in Week 2, 3, and 4)
For help with this week’s research, see this Course Guide and related weekly assignment resources.
Document: Week 6 t test Scenarios (PDF)
Use these scenarios to complete this week’s Assignment.
Document: Walden University: Research Design Alignment Table
Datasets
Your instructor will post the datasets for the course in the Doc Sharing section and in an Announcement. Your instructor may also recommend using a different dataset from the ones provided here. Testing Hypotheses for Means Help
Required Media
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016l). The t test for independent samples [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
In this media program, Dr. Matt Jones, demonstrates the t Test for independent samples in SPSS.
Accessible player
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2016m). The t test for related samples [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
In this media program, Dr. Matt Jones, demonstrates the t test for related samples in SPSS.
Accessible player
Optional Resources
Use the following app/weblink to enter your own data and obtain an interactive visual display.
Skill Builders:
- Research Design and Statistical Design
- Hypothesis Testing for Independent Samples t-test
To access these Skill Builders, navigate back to your Blackboard Course Home page, and locate “Skill Builders” in the left navigation pane. From there, click on the relevant Skill Builder link for this week.
You are encouraged to click through these and all Skill Builders to gain additional practice with these concepts. Doing so will bolster your knowledge of the concepts you’re learning this week and throughout the course.
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