Question

What three factors will increase the power of a test?

Answer 1

The power of a test is increased by enlarging the sample size, magnifying the effect size, and raising the α-level, albeit with a higher risk of Type I errors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Three factors that will increase the power of a test are:

1. Increasing the Sample Size: A larger sample size reduces the variability of the test statistic and brings clarity to detecting differences or effects, thus increasing the power of the test.
2. Effect Size: The larger the true effect size, which reflects the magnitude of the difference under investigation, the easier it is to detect, thereby increasing the power of the test.
3. Significance Level (α-level): Choosing a higher significance level (e.g., α = 0.10 instead of α = 0.05) increases the likelihood of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is false, which increases power. However, this also raises the risk of Type I errors.

Other factors such as precision in measurement, using one-tailed tests (when appropriate), and improving experimental design can also contribute to increasing a test's power.