Writing Significance Tests

Four Steps to Include 1.Hypotheses 2.Assumptions 3.Mathematics 4.Conclusion

Hypotheses Clearly state H o and H a. Use correct terminology. Include a definition of any variables used, in terms of the problem. For example, don’t just write “H o : p=.15” without including “where p is the proportion of Americans who wear glasses.”

Assumptions First, clearly state which test you’re going to use for the given hypotheses. Next, clearly explain why each of the conditions for the test is met. Make sure to be specific and include numbers if necessary (ex. np=27>10) – Don’t just state the conditions! Make sure that you check them!

Assumptions There may not be a concrete reason to believe a condition is true. In that case, simply state that you are unsure of the authenticity of the test (ex. SRS). If you graph anything, make sure to include a sketch of the graph in your answer. Always be sure to say “approximately normal” if you aren’t sure (CLT).

Mathematics Include all appropriate numbers, including: – Test statistic (z-score/t-score/X 2 -score) – Significance level – P-value – Degrees of freedom used It’s okay to do the work on your calculator, but be clear and organized. Show the formulas where the work came from.

Conclusions First, clearly state your conclusion in terms of the P-value or critical value. Then, restate the conclusion in the context of the problem, by describing what the conclusion means in terms of the hypotheses. Be sure to use complete sentences and write legibly and intelligently.