Question

An observational study was conducted to find out if eating whole-wheat products was associated with a reduction in body mass index (BMI) for children. The measure of interest was the difference between population mean BMI for children who eat whole wheat products and children who don’t.

a) Write the null and alternative hypotheses for this situation.

b) Describe what a type 1 error would be in this situation.

c) Describe what a type 2 error would be in this situation.

d) Which type of error do you think is more serious in this situation? (There is no correct answer; it is your reasoning that counts.)

Answer 1

Ans:

a)

b)

We will make type I error when we conclude that eating whole wheat products reduces BMI as compared to who don’t,but in fact,there is no reduction in BMI.

(type I error is to reject the null hypothesis,when it is true)

c)

We will make type II error when we conclude that there is no reduction in BMI as compared to who don’t,but in fact,eating whole wheat products reduces BMI.

(type II error is to fail to reject the null hypothesis,when it is false)

d)Type II error is more serious,as we are concluding that whole wheat products are not beneficial for BMI reduction,but in fact,it is beneficial.