The first item on the screen, µ>8, is the alternate hypothesis of the statistical
test. Supporting the alternate hypothesis in this case would mean "da Bears," on
the average, win more than 8 games in a season and thus are a winning ball team.
The null hypothesis is not shown on the screen because it is always the same as
the alternate except it is an equality (µ=8). The second item on the screen is the
observed statistic from the sample (observed t). From it, the third item on
the screen is calculated and it represents the decision statistic (pvalue).
Typically in science, the .05 level of significance is used in making decisions.
Deviation from this level of significance would need to be defended in a report.
A .05 level of significance means that if our observed statistic from the sample
falls in the rare 5%, we will reject the null hypothesis and support the alternate
hypothesis.
Therefore, if your pvalue is less than .05 you will reject the null hypothesis and
support the alternate hypothesis. In our problem, the pvalue is .0482 which
is less than .05. Our decision is to reject the null hypothesis that µ=8 and
support the alternate hypothesis that µ>8. This test clearly shows that "da
Bears" average more than 8 wins a season and thus are a winning football team.
If the pvalue is greater than .05 you would support the null hypothesis that µ=8.
The fourth, fifth and sixth items on the screen show the sample average,
sample standard deviation and sample size. On the average, "da Bears"
win approximately 9 games a season.
Method of Teaching
Use Blackline Masters 10.1 and 10.2 to create overheads for performing statistical
tests. Go over in detail the five parts of a statistical test and the items generated
by the calculator.
Next, use Blackline Master 10.3 to create a worksheet for the students. Have the
students enter the data points, compute the regression models, and overlay the
models and scatter diagram. Use the topics For Discussion to supplement the
worksheets.
Statistical Tests/STATISTICS USING THE SHARP EL-9600 51