Comparing two means with two independent samples -- math ability of male and female CS students

This activity offers students direct experience with the 4 steps involved in hypothesis testing for two means from independent samples:
 * 1) State the appropriate null and alternative hypotheses, Ho and Ha.
 * 2) Obtain a random sample, collect relevant data, and check whether the data meet the conditions under which the test can be used. If the conditions are met, summarize the data by a test statistic.
 * 3) Find the p-value of the test.
 * 4) Based on the p-value, decide whether or not the results are significant and draw your conclusions in context.

Inference for the mean of a population
Use this activity for in-class collaborative group work.

Estimate for completion time: 45 minutes

Materials needed:
 * 4-step hypothesis testing template (shown below) for each group ([[Media:Hypothesis_testing_comparing_two_means--csdata_activity_HO.odt|handout]], in .odt file format--OpenOffice.org Writer)
 * Analysis software (SPSS, PPSP, SAS, R, Minitab, Excel, Calc)
 * Dataset: csdata.por (portable file format)

Resources
The following resources were used for ideas and organization in the development of this activity:


 * Dean, S., & Illowsky, B. (2009, February 18). Hypothesis Testing for Two Means and Two Proportions: Lab. Retrieved from the Connexions Web site on 19 Sep 2010.