BUS 308 Discussion Questions 1 & 2

DQ #1: Multiple Testing / ANOVA / Effect Size

Although the initial post is due on Day 5, you are encouraged to start working on it early, as it is a three-part discussion that should be completed in sequential order.

Part One – Multiple Testing

Read Lecture Seven. The lectures from last week and Lecture Seven discuss issues around using a single test versus multiple uses of the same tests to answer questions about mean equality between groups. This suggests that we need to master—or at least understand—a number of statistical tests. Why can’t we just master a single statistical test—such as the t-test—and use it in situations calling for mean equality decisions? (This should be started on Day 1.) 

Part Two – ANOVA

Read Lecture Eight. Lecture Eight provides an ANOVA test showing that the mean salary for each job grade significantly differed. It then shows a technique to allow us to determine which pair or pairs of means actually differ. What other factors would you be interested in knowing if means differed by grade level? Why? Can you provide an ANOVA table showing these results? (Do not bother with which means differ.) How does this help answer our research question of equal pay for equal work? What kinds of results in your personal or professional lives could use the ANOVA test? Why? (This should be started on Day 3.)

Part Three – Effect Size

Read Lecture Nine. Lecture Nine introduces you to Effect size measure.  There are two reasons we reject a null hypothesis.  One is that the interaction of the variables causes significant differences to occur – our typical understanding of a rejected null hypothesis.  The other is having a large sample size – virtually any difference can be made to appear significant if the sample is large enough.  What is the Effect size measure?  How does it help us decide what caused us reject the null hypothesis?  (This should be completed by Day 5.)

DQ #2: Webliography

Post a question that you had related to the material this week. Conduct research to provide the answer to the question and provide the source.