The only type of difference that has been illustrated is a statistical difference. The answer is a. statistical difference.
A statistical difference is a difference between two groups that is large enough to be considered real and not due to chance. In this case, the difference in soft drink consumption between males and females is one soft drink per week. This difference is small, but it is statistically significant because it is unlikely to have occurred by chance.
A managerially important difference is a difference that is large enough to have a meaningful impact on an organization. In this case, the difference in soft drink consumption between males and females is not likely to have a significant impact on an organization
A difference of dispersion is a difference in the variability of two groups. In this case, the variability of soft drink consumption is not reported, so it is not possible to determine if there is a difference of dispersion between males and females.
A mathematical difference is a difference in the value of a variable between two groups. In this case, there is a mathematical difference in soft drink consumption between males and females: males average five soft drinks per week, and females average six soft drinks per week.
Question
Suppose in our sample results we find that males average drinking five soft drinks per week, compared with six soft drinks per week for females. In the absence of additional analysis, what type of difference has been illustrated?
a. statistical difference
b. managerially important difference
c. a difference of dispersion
d. mathematical difference
e. none of these