Question

Data Analysis is designed to build a strong foundation for development of statistical literacy and statistical thinking. Both are essential for business success and further studies in business. Recent research showed that “On average for 15-year-old Australian students, females achieved at a significantly lower level than male students (in mathematics)” (p.2, Buckley 2016)1 . However, there is also research evidence that “Despite the stereotype that boys do better in math and science, girls have made higher grades than boys throughout their school years for nearly a century” (APA 2014)2. The Head of School funds a research study to investigate gender differences in, and other factors influencing, exam performance in Data Analysis. Data are collected on the following variables from a sample of 694 students enrolled in the unit in 2015.

• Final exam mark (out of 60)3

• Gender

• Degree Type

• Country of Citizenship

• Lecture Attendance4

  You are appointed as the research analyst to examine the data and report key findings to the project officer. The dataset is contained in the file: Exam Results.xlsx. The project officer sets the following tasks to guide your investigation.

  Task 1 (t-tests)

1. In 2014 the average final exam mark was 29.6 out of 60. You want to test at 5% if the average exam mark in 2015 has decreased. (Include all six steps of hypothesis testing.)

Answer 1