Refer to Exercise 6.46. The researchers also examined the effect of depth on populatio...

Refer to Exercise 6.46. The researchers also examined the effect of depth on population abundance.

a. Plot the four data sets using side-by-side boxplots to demonstrate the effect of depth on population abundance.

b. Separately for each depth, evaluate differences between the sites within and outside the oil trajectory. Use α = .05.

c. Are your conclusions at 40 m consistent with your conclusions at 100 m?

REFERENCE:

6.46 : Following the March 24, 1989, grounding of the tanker Exxon Valdez in Alaska, approximately 35,500 tons of crude oil were released into Prince William Sound. The paper “The deep benthos of Prince William Sound, Alaska, 16 months after the Exxon Valdez oil spill” [Marine Pollution Bulletin (1998), 36:118–130] reports on an evaluation of deep benthic infauna after the spill. Thirteen sites were selected for study. Seven of the sites were within the oil trajectory and six were outside the oil trajectory. Collection of environmental and biological data at two depths, 40 m and 100 m, occurred in the period July 1–23, 1990. One of the variables measured was population abundance (individuals per square meter). The values are given in the following table.

a. After combining the data from the two depths, does there appear to be a difference in population mean abundance between the sites within and outside the oil trajectory? Use α = .05.

b. Estimate the size of the difference in the mean population abundance at the two types of sites using a 95% confidence interval.

c. What are the required conditions for the techniques used in parts (a) and (b)?

d. Check to see whether the required conditions are satisfied.