Question

One of the many concerns of college students today is the time required for them to graduate with a baccalaureate degree (BA or BS). Current estimates in the public university system are that it takes an average of slightly over 5 years for a student to complete a baccalaureate degree. One researcher suggests that males take a significantly longer average time than females to complete a baccalaureate degree.

What are the correct hypotheses to test in an attempt to support the claim of this researcher? Let
μ
1
represent the average time it takes females to complete a baccalaureate degree in the public university system, and let
μ
2
represent the average time it takes males to complete a baccalaureate degree in the public university system.

Answer 1

The correct hypothesis to test in an attempt to support the claim of this researcher is:

H₀: μ₁ - μ₂ = 0

H_a: μ₁ - μ₂ < 0

What is the correct Hypothesis?

One researcher suggests that males take a significantly longer average time than females to complete a baccalaureate degree.

Note: This implies that mu1 is less than μ₂

or μ₁ - μ₂ < 0

Since that statement does not include the "equality" it must be the alternative hypothesis Hₐ

Thus, the correct hypothesis are:

H₀: μ₁ - μ₂ = 0

H_a: μ₁ - μ₂ < 0