Statistical Inference in the Media

This project asks you to find examples of statistical inference in the media. You are asked to find one article in the popular press where a test is described and the result is statistically significant, and one article in the popular press where a test is described but the result is not statistically significant. You should submit a well-written report addressing each of the following parts.

Part 1: Statistically Significant

Find a description of a statistical test in the popular press (such as in a magazine, newspaper or online) and the result is statistically significant.

(a) Describe how the test was conducted. How were the data collected (or can you not tell this from the article)? Are the data the result of an experiment or an observational study?

(b) What are the null and alternative hypotheses being tested?

(c) What is the p-value for the test? If the p-value is not given, what is a likely range for the p-value of this test given the information in the article (less than 5%, greater than 5%, etc.)?

(d) What is the conclusion of the test?

(e) Include the complete citation or web address at the end of your report.

Part 2: Not Statistically Significant

Find a description of a statistical test in the popular press (such as in a magazine, newspaper or online) but the result is not statistically significant.

(a) Describe how the test was conducted. How were the data collected (or can you not tell this from the article)? Are the data the result of an experiment or an observational study?

(b) What are the null and alternative hypotheses being tested?

(c) What is the p-value for the test? If the p-value is not given, what is a likely range for the p-value of this test given the information in the article (less than 5%, greater than 5%, etc.)?

(d) What is the conclusion of the test?

(e) Include the complete citation or web address at the end of your report.