Question

A researcher looking for evidence of extrasensory perception (ESP) tests 1000 1000 subjects. Nine of these subjects do significantly better ( P < 0.01 ) (P<0.01) than random guessing.

(a) Nine subjects may seem like a lot of people, but can you conclude that these nine people have ESP? Select the appropriate statement that explains whether or not it is proper to conclude that these nine people have ESP.

Yes. This follows directly from the 1 % 1% significance level.

Yes. This follows directly from the statistical significance.

No. Since the tests were performed at the 1% significance level, as many as 10 subjects may have done significantly better than random guessing.

No. The sample size was not large enough for any statistical inference.

(b) Select the appropriate statement that describes what the researcher should now do to test whether any of these nine subjects have ESP.

He should repeat the test for the entire sample.

He should design a new test and draw new data.

He should ask them if they really have ESP or if they just guessed.

He should check whether their results lie within the boundaries of the confidence interval

Answer 1