A biologist is investigating the effect of potential plant h

A biologist is investigating the effect of potential plant hormones by treating 20 stem segments. At the end fo the observation period, he computes the following lenght averages:

Compund X= 1.18

Compound Y= 1.17

Based on these mean values, hwe concludes that there are no treatment differences.

1) Are you satisfied with his conclusions? Why or why not?

2) If he asked you for help in analyzing thses data, what statistical method would you suggest that he use to come to a meaningful conclusion about his data?

3) Are there any other questions you would ask him regarding his experiment and data collection and analysis methods?

Solution

1) I am not satisfied with his conclusion because I do not know the basis of his conclusion. I do not think any conclusion can be made on the basis of average lengths only.

2) I would suggest Z test ( if the original population variance is known) or t test ( if the sample variances are available).

3) First of all I would ask him the analysis method he used. And I would ask him to provide the variances for the data.