Question

An engineer designing a new type of bridge wants to test the stress and load bearing capabilities of a prototype before beginning construction. Her null hypothesis is that the bridge’s stress and load capabilities are safe. Select which type of error would be worse. Make sure that the type of error is matched with the correct definition.

Answer 1

Type II errors (null hypotesis false but accepted by the test)

Explanation:

There are two types of errors in the hypothesis test:

Type I errors: they occur when the null hypothesis is true but the test rejects it.

Type 2 errors: they occur when the null hypothesis is false but the test accepts it as true.

In a case like a bridge, where security must be guaranteed, you cannot run the risk of falling into a type II error.

In this case, Type II errors are the worst we can fall into.