Q1 — Two-Sample z-Test for Mean Difference(已知σ₁、σ₂的两样本均值差z检验)

Question (EN): A researcher wants to compare the average weekly online shopping time (in hours) between male and female college students. From previous large-scale studies, it is reasonable to assume that the population standard deviations are known and stable:

  • Population standard deviation for males: hours
  • Population standard deviation for females: hours

The researcher takes independent random samples and obtains:

  • Sample of males: , sample mean hours
  • Sample of females: , sample mean hours

At the significance level, test whether there is a significant difference in the population mean weekly online shopping time between male and female students.

  1. State the null and alternative hypotheses.
  2. Compute the test statistic .
  3. State the critical value(s) for a two-tailed test and make a decision.
  4. Interpret the result in context.




Q1 — Two-Sample z-Test for Study Time Difference(已知σ₁、σ₂的两样本均值差z检验)

Question (EN): A business school wants to know whether a mobile learning app helps students spend more time studying Business Statistics per day. Past records suggest that the population standard deviations of daily study time (in hours) are stable and known:

  • Population standard deviation for app users: hours
  • Population standard deviation for non-users: hours

The school collects independent random samples:

  • App users (Group 1): , sample mean hours
  • Non-users (Group 2): , sample mean hours

At the significance level, test whether there is a significant difference in the population mean daily study time between app users and non-users.

  1. State the null and alternative hypotheses.
  2. Compute the test statistic .
  3. State the critical value(s) for a two-tailed test and make a decision.
  4. Interpret the result in context.




Q1 — Confidence Interval for Mean Difference(两总体均值差的置信区间)

Question (EN): An instructor wants to compare the average Business Statistics exam scores between two classes that used different teaching methods.

  • Class 1 (Method A): traditional lecture
  • Class 2 (Method B): flipped classroom

From past semesters, it is reasonable to treat the population standard deviations as known:

  • Population standard deviation for Class 1: points
  • Population standard deviation for Class 2: points

This semester, the instructor collects independent random samples and obtains:

  • Class 1 (Method A): , sample mean points
  • Class 2 (Method B): , sample mean points

Assume exam scores are approximately normal or sample sizes are large enough.

At the significance level, construct a 95% confidence interval for the difference in population mean exam scores (Method A minus Method B), and determine whether lies inside the interval.

  1. Compute the standard error of ;
  2. Construct the 95% confidence interval for ;
  3. Check whether 0 is inside the interval and briefly interpret the result.




Q2 — Two-Sample z-Test for Mean Difference(已知σ₁、σ₂的两样本均值差z检验)

Question (EN): A university administrator wants to compare the average weekly online study time (in hours) on their learning platform between domestic and international Business students. From long-term records, it is reasonable to assume that the population standard deviations are known and stable:

  • Population standard deviation for domestic students: hours
  • Population standard deviation for international students: hours

This semester, the administrator takes independent random samples and obtains:

  • Domestic students (Group 1): , sample mean hours
  • International students (Group 2): , sample mean hours

Assume weekly online study time is approximately normal or the sample sizes are large enough.

At the significance level, test whether there is a significant difference in the population mean weekly online study time between domestic and international Business students.

  1. State the null and alternative hypotheses.
  2. Compute the test statistic .
  3. State the critical value(s) for a two-tailed test and make a decision (reject / fail to reject ).
  4. Interpret the result in context.




Q3 — One-Sided vs Two-Sided Tests(单尾检验与双尾检验的选择)

Question (EN): A researcher is comparing the average final exam scores in Business Statistics between Class A and Class B at a university. Let

  • population mean score of Class A
  • population mean score of Class B

Suppose the population standard deviations are known, and a two-sample z-test for is appropriate. For each of the following research questions, decide:

  1. Whether the test should be left-tailed, right-tailed, or two-tailed;
  2. Write the correct null and alternative hypotheses in terms of ;
  3. Express the rejection rule using the z-statistic and the critical value(s) at significance level .

Scenarios:

(a) “Is the average score of Class A higher than that of Class B?” (b) “Is the average score of Class A lower than that of Class B?” (c) “Is there any difference in average scores between Class A and Class B?”

You only need to use a general (e.g., write or ). Do not plug in numbers.





Q4 — Choosing the Correct Test Procedure(判断使用两样本 z 检验还是 t 检验)

Question (EN): A researcher is studying Business Statistics exam scores under different teaching conditions. For each of the following scenarios, decide:

  1. Should the researcher use a two-sample z-test, a two-sample t-test, or neither (because the data are not two independent samples)?
  2. Can the two samples be treated as independent? Why or why not?

Assume exam scores are approximately normal unless stated otherwise.

Scenario (a) — Known , independent sections Two large lecture sections (Section 1 and Section 2) are taught by different instructors. From university records, the population standard deviations of exam scores for both sections are known and stable:

  • Section 1: population standard deviation
  • Section 2: population standard deviation

This semester, the researcher randomly selects:

  • Section 1: students, sample mean
  • Section 2: students, sample mean

Question:

  • Which procedure is appropriate to compare the mean exam scores of the two sections?
  • Are the samples independent?

Scenario (b) — Unknown , small samples, independent classes Two small Business Statistics classes (Class A and Class B) are taught with different textbooks.

  • For both classes, the population standard deviations are unknown; only sample standard deviations and are available.
  • Sample sizes: (Class A), (Class B).
  • Students in Class A and Class B are different people with no overlap.

Question:

  • Which procedure is appropriate to compare the mean exam scores: two-sample z-test or two-sample t-test?
  • Are the samples independent?

Scenario (c) — Same students, before & after a workshop One group of Business Statistics students take a midterm exam, then attend an intensive revision workshop, and later take a final exam.

  • The researcher wants to compare each student’s final exam score with the midterm score to see if the workshop improves performance.
  • For each student, we have two scores: “before” (midterm) and “after” (final).

Question:

  • Is this a situation for a two-sample z-test or two-sample t-test for ? Or is it neither?
  • Are the two sets of scores independent?




Q5 — Formulating Hypotheses for Two-Sample Mean Tests(两样本均值检验的假设写法)

Question (EN): For each of the following situations, you want to compare two population means using a two-sample test for .

Let and be the population means defined in each scenario. For each scenario, do the following:

  1. Specify whether the test is left-tailed, right-tailed, or two-tailed.
  2. Clearly define and .
  3. Write the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis in terms of .

You do not need to calculate any test statistic.


(a) Product lifetime(产品寿命) A company develops a new battery Model A and wants to test if it lasts longer (has a higher average lifetime in hours) than the existing Model B.

  • population mean lifetime of Model A
  • population mean lifetime of Model B

Formulate and .


(b) Exam scores(考试成绩差异) An instructor wants to know whether there is any difference in the average Business Statistics final exam scores between Section 1 and Section 2.

  • population mean exam score of Section 1
  • population mean exam score of Section 2

Formulate and .


(c) Customer satisfaction(顾客满意度是否较低) A manager is concerned that the average customer satisfaction score (on a 1–10 scale) at Store X may be lower than at Store Y.

  • population mean satisfaction score at Store X
  • population mean satisfaction score at Store Y

Formulate and .





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Q6 — Interpreting p-value and Significance Level(p 值与显著性水平的比较与结论)

Question (EN): A researcher performs a two-sample z-test for the difference in mean Business Statistics scores between two teaching methods. The test statistic is:

For a two-tailed test, the computer output reports:

  • p-value = 0.036

Answer the following questions:

  1. At significance level , should the researcher reject or fail to reject ? Why?
  2. At significance level , should the researcher reject or fail to reject ? Why?
  3. In general, if p-value , what does that mean about the strength of evidence against ?
  4. In general, if p-value , can we reject ? How should we interpret this situation?




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Q7 — Interpreting a Confidence Interval for Mean Difference(均值差置信区间的解释)

Question (EN): A study compares the average daily time spent on a learning app (in minutes) between Business students (Group 1) and Non-Business students (Group 2).

Using a two-sample z procedure with known population standard deviations, the researcher obtains the following 95% confidence interval for the difference in population means (Business − Non-Business):

  • 95% CI for μ₁ − μ₂ = (−2.3, 5.7)

Answer the following questions:

  1. Interpret this confidence interval in plain English: what does it say about the possible values of μ₁ − μ₂?

  2. At the α = 0.05 significance level for a two-tailed test of

    • H₀: μ₁ − μ₂ = 0 vs. H₁: μ₁ − μ₂ ≠ 0, should we conclude that there is a significant difference between the two population means? Explain using the interval.
  3. Based on this interval, is there clear evidence that Business students spend more time on the app than Non-Business students? Why or why not?





Q8 — Business Interpretation of a Two-Sample z-Test(两样本 z 检验的商业含义解释)

Question (EN): A company sells two versions of an online learning app:

  • Version A: with gamification features (badges, points, leaderboards)
  • Version B: basic version without gamification

The company wants to know whether Version A keeps users engaged longer per week than Version B.

From previous large-scale data, assume population standard deviations are known:

  • Population standard deviation of weekly usage time for Version A: hours
  • Population standard deviation of weekly usage time for Version B: hours

This month, the company takes independent random samples of active users:

  • Version A: , sample mean hours/week
  • Version B: , sample mean hours/week

At significance level , they test

  • (Version A has a higher mean weekly usage time)

After computing, they obtain a test statistic of

Use this information to answer:

  1. At , what is the critical value for this right-tailed test, and do we reject or fail to reject ?
  2. Briefly state the statistical conclusion (in one English sentence).
  3. Write a business/management conclusion in plain English, explaining what this result suggests about whether the company should promote Version A as “more engaging”. Mention both the benefit and at least one caution/limitation.




Q9 — Designing a Two-Sample z-Test for Mean Difference(设计两样本均值差 z 检验)

Question (EN): You are a data analyst for a coffee chain. The company wants to compare the average customer satisfaction score (1–10 scale) between Branch A and Branch B.

From past large-scale surveys, it is reasonable to treat the population standard deviations as known and stable:

  • Population standard deviation at Branch A:
  • Population standard deviation at Branch B:

This month, the company collects independent random samples:

  • Branch A: , sample mean satisfaction
  • Branch B: , sample mean satisfaction

The manager’s research question is:

“Is the average satisfaction at Branch A higher than at Branch B?”

At significance level :

  1. Clearly define the parameters and .
  2. State which statistical procedure is appropriate (two-sample z-test or two-sample t-test?) and why.
  3. Write the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis in terms of .
  4. State whether this is a left-tailed, right-tailed, or two-tailed test.




Q10 — Using a Confidence Interval to Make a Test Decision(用置信区间判断检验结论)

Question (EN): A researcher compares the average weekly study time (in hours) between online course students (Group 1) and traditional classroom students (Group 2).

Using a two-sample procedure with known population standard deviations, she obtains the following 95% confidence interval for the difference in population means (online − traditional):

  • 95% CI for is .

Consider the two-tailed hypothesis test

  • .

Answer the following:

  1. At significance level , should we reject or fail to reject using only this confidence interval? Explain clearly.
  2. What does your decision say about whether there is a statistically significant difference in mean weekly study time between online and traditional students?
  3. Suppose instead we used a 90% confidence interval for . Would that interval be wider or narrower than the 95% interval above? For a two-tailed test at , would it become easier or harder to reject ? Briefly explain.




Q11 — Comparing p-value Method and Critical-Value Method(p 值法 vs 临界值法)

Question (EN): A company compares the average processing time of online orders (in minutes) between Warehouse 1 (Group 1) and Warehouse 2 (Group 2).

Assume population standard deviations are known and the two samples are independent. A two-sample -test for the difference in means is conducted with:

  • Test statistic:

  • Significance level:

  • Two-tailed test for

Answer:

  1. Critical-value method:

    • Find the critical values for this two-tailed test at .
    • Based on , decide whether to reject or fail to reject .
  2. p-value method:

    • Approximate the p-value for in a two-tailed test.
    • Compare it with and make a decision.
  3. Verify that the two methods lead to the same conclusion.

  4. Briefly interpret the result in context: is there evidence that the mean processing times of the two warehouses are different?





Q12 — Effect of Sample Size on Standard Error and Confidence Interval(样本量对标准误与置信区间的影响)

Question (EN): A researcher compares the average delivery time (in minutes) between Service A and Service B. Assume that population standard deviations are known and equal:

  • minutes.

She considers two different study designs:

  • Design 1 (small samples):

    • customers from Service A
    • customers from Service B
  • Design 2 (large samples):

    • customers from Service A
    • customers from Service B
  • In both designs, the sample means are such that the estimated difference is the same:

    • minutes.
  • She will construct a 95% confidence interval for in each design.

Answer:

  1. Compute the standard error of for Design 1 and Design 2:

    • for
    • for
  2. Which design gives a wider 95% confidence interval for ? Why?

  3. In which design is it easier to find a statistically significant difference between and (at the same )? Explain using the standard errors.





Q13 — Checking Assumptions for a Two-Sample z-Test(两样本 z 检验的条件判断)

Question (EN): For each scenario below, decide whether the conditions for using a two-sample z-test for the difference of means are reasonably satisfied. If not, briefly state what problem exists and which alternative procedure would be more appropriate.

Recall that a two-sample z-test for typically requires:

  • Two independent samples from the populations
  • Population standard deviations and are known (or have very reliable prior estimates)
  • Sample sizes are large enough or populations are approximately normal.

Scenario (a): Paired before–after scores A university measures the exam scores of the same 40 students before and after taking a new online practice course. The analyst knows that the population standard deviation of scores is about 12 points from past records and considers using a two-sample z-test comparing the “before” group and the “after” group.


Scenario (b): Small samples with unknown σ A company compares customer waiting times between two new service desks. They collect:

  • Desk 1: customers
  • Desk 2: customers The population standard deviations are unknown; only sample standard deviations and are available. Waiting time distributions are roughly symmetric but not clearly normal.

Scenario (c): Large independent samples, σ known from history An airline compares the average check-in duration between Airport X and Airport Y. From several years of detailed records, they have stable estimates for the population standard deviations. They now take:

  • passengers from Airport X
  • passengers from Airport Y The samples are independent.

For each scenario (a), (b), and (c):

  1. Can we reasonably use a two-sample z-test for ? (Yes/No)
  2. If No, state the main issue and suggest a more suitable procedure.