A Matched Pairs Problem

Term Paper
Remember to label your graph appropriately and to clearly show each step of your
significance test. This is due Wednesday, August 5 at 6:17 AM. All of your responses
and graphs should be done electronically.
A weight control program was being tested to determine whether it was truly effective.
The participants were weighed before the program and after. Does the data below
provide evidence at the 5% level that this program is effective?
Participant
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

before
178
145
205
177
215
189
170
190
295
300
234
250
196
200

after
150
143
190
178
195
180
166
181
293
275
225
230
186
200

Difference
28
2
15
-1
20
9
4
9
2
25
9
20
10
0

Participant
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

before
307
298
156
340
167
230
218
215
320
183
435
280
214
360

After
303
280
130
337
155
220
220
200
300
170
405
265
198
341

difference
4
18
26
3
12
10
-2
15
20
13
30
15
16
19

a. Make a histogram of the differences (before after) and describe the distribution.

b. Are there any outliers? Justify your answer.

Q3-Q1= IQR. 19.5-4= 15.5= IQR. IQR(1.5)= 23.25
Q3+ IQR(1.5)= 19.5+23.25= 42.75
Q1- IQR(1.5)= 4-23.25= -19.25

A Matched Pairs Problem

There are not any outliers in this set of data, because there arent any numbers that
are greater than 42.75 or less than -19.25. The reason why I believe there arent
any outliers is because the data varies so much, leading the IQR to be a large
number. This, meaning that the data can range significantly, but still not be
considered outliers.
c. Does the data provide evidence (at the 5% level) that the program is effective?
= mean weight for all of the participants.
H0= = 0
H1= >0
x bar= 12.5352
s= 9.0492
n= 28
t= 12.5352-0
9.0492
28
t= 7.3299
df= 28-1= 27
critical value for the 5% test= 1.703
P-value: 0+
0+<1.703
Reject Null Hypothesis.
We have statistically significance evidence to reject the Null Hypothesis,
being that the mean of the data is 0. The data instead supports the Alternative
Hypothesis, being that the weight loss program is effective in helping people lose
at least one pound.
d. Why is a significance test required?
A significance test is required so that we can determine if the data we
receive is different enough and if the hypothesized value of the parameter or mean
is not the true value. We simply want to be very confident of our findings, and
doing the significance test can help us do that.
e. How has this problem changed your view of the subject of statistics?
This problem has changed my views on statistics because it has shown me
that the fundamentals we have learned during the semester are applicable. I
thought that working on this project was worth-while because it was good practice
for the future when I want to use my knowledge of statistics and apply it to
personal situations.
I have also learned the importance of studying the data for statistics.
Although a certain statistic may be advertised to support a companys claim,
doesnt necessarily mean that it is an accurate representation of the whole. There

A Matched Pairs Problem

can be inaccurate stats due to the sample size not being randomly selected and
the reader interpreting the information to support his or her beliefs.
I enjoyed this class because it was a challenge and I learned applicable
skills.