Chapter 25, Problem 5E

(a)

To determine

To explain which of these tests is appropriate for these data.

Answer to Problem 5E

Matched-pair t -test is appropriate.

Explanation of Solution

In the question values for the labour force participation rate of women (LFPR) are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics. So, we are interested in whether there was a difference between female participation in $1968\text{ and 1972}$ , a time of rapid change for women. And we will check LFPR values for $19$ randomly selected cities for $1968\text{ and 1972}$ . And the software output for the two possible tests, paired t -test and two-sample t -test, are given. So, the test appropriate for these data is matched pairs t -test because in this data same cities are considered in different period and that is the definition of the matched pair test.

(b)

To determine

To state your conclusion using the test you have selected.

Explanation of Solution

In the question values for the labour force participation rate of women (LFPR) are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics. So, we are interested in whether there was a difference between female participation in $1968\text{ and 1972}$ , a time of rapid change for women. And we will check LFPR values for $19$ randomly selected cities for $1968\text{ and 1972}$ . And the software output for the two possible tests, paired t -test and two-sample t -test, are given. So, the test appropriate for these data is matched pairs t -test. Thus, we can conclude that there is a significant difference in the labour force participation rate for women in these cities and women’s participation seems to have increased between $1968\text{ and 1972}$ .