Degrees of Freedom In Exercise 20 “Blanking Out on Tests,” using the “smaller of n1-1 and n2-1” for the number of degrees of freedom results in df=15 Find the number of degrees of freedom using Formula 9-1. In general, how are hypothesis tests and confidence intervals affected by using Formula 9-1 instead of the “smaller of n1-1 and n2-1 ”?
Table of contents
- 1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data55m
- 2. Describing Data with Tables and Graphs1h 55m
- 3. Describing Data Numerically1h 45m
- 4. Probability2h 16m
- 5. Binomial Distribution & Discrete Random Variables2h 33m
- 6. Normal Distribution and Continuous Random Variables1h 38m
- 7. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Mean1h 53m
- 8. Sampling Distributions & Confidence Intervals: Proportion1h 12m
- 9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample2h 19m
- 10. Hypothesis Testing for Two Samples3h 22m
- 11. Correlation1h 6m
- 12. Regression1h 4m
- 13. Chi-Square Tests & Goodness of Fit1h 20m
- 14. ANOVA1h 0m
9. Hypothesis Testing for One Sample
Steps in Hypothesis Testing
Problem 9.2.6a
Textbook Question
In Exercises 5–20, assume that the two samples are independent simple random samples selected from normally distributed populations, and do not assume that the population standard deviations are equal. (Note: Answers in Appendix D include technology answers based on Formula 9-1 along with “Table” answers based on Table A-3 with df equal to the smaller of n1-1 and n2-1)
Readability of Font On a Computer Screen The statistics shown below were obtained from a standard test of readability of fonts on a computer screen (based on data from “Reading on the Computer Screen: Does Font Type Have Effects on Web Text Readability?” by Ali et al., International Education Studies, Vol. 6, No. 3). Reading speed and accuracy were combined into a readability performance score (x), where a higher score represents better font readability.
a. Use a 0.05 significance level to test the claim that there is no significant difference in readability between Roman and Arial fonts.


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Step 1: Identify the null and alternative hypotheses. The null hypothesis (H₀) states that there is no significant difference in readability between Roman and Arial fonts, i.e., μ₁ = μ₂. The alternative hypothesis (H₁) states that there is a significant difference, i.e., μ₁ ≠ μ₂.
Step 2: Determine the test statistic formula. Since the population standard deviations are not assumed to be equal, use the two-sample t-test formula: t = (x̄₁ - x̄₂) / √((s₁²/n₁) + (s₂²/n₂)), where x̄₁ and x̄₂ are the sample means, s₁ and s₂ are the sample standard deviations, and n₁ and n₂ are the sample sizes.
Step 3: Calculate the degrees of freedom (df). Use the formula for approximate degrees of freedom: df = ((s₁²/n₁ + s₂²/n₂)²) / (((s₁²/n₁)² / (n₁ - 1)) + ((s₂²/n₂)² / (n₂ - 1))). Round down to the nearest integer.
Step 4: Determine the critical t-value. Using the significance level α = 0.05 and the calculated degrees of freedom, find the critical t-value from a t-distribution table or technology. For a two-tailed test, divide α by 2 to find the critical values for both tails.
Step 5: Compare the calculated t-statistic to the critical t-value. If the absolute value of the t-statistic exceeds the critical t-value, reject the null hypothesis (H₀). Otherwise, fail to reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is no significant difference in readability between Roman and Arial fonts.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Independent Samples
Independent samples refer to two or more groups that are not related or paired in any way. In this context, the Roman and Arial font readability scores are derived from separate groups of participants, meaning the performance of one group does not influence the other. This independence is crucial for applying certain statistical tests, such as the t-test, to compare the means of the two groups.
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Hypothesis Testing
Hypothesis testing is a statistical method used to determine whether there is enough evidence to reject a null hypothesis in favor of an alternative hypothesis. In this case, the null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference in readability scores between the Roman and Arial fonts. The significance level of 0.05 indicates the threshold for determining whether the observed differences are statistically significant.
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T-test for Independent Samples
The t-test for independent samples is a statistical test used to compare the means of two independent groups. It calculates the t-statistic based on the sample means, standard deviations, and sizes. Given that the population standard deviations are not assumed to be equal, the appropriate version of the t-test (Welch's t-test) should be used to account for the differences in variability between the two samples.
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