Question

Mrs. Nataro wants to know if there is a difference in color preference between male and female toddlers? Researchers offer identical toys of four different colors to separate random samples of male and female children aged 12 to 18 months and record which color toy is picked up first. Here are the results:

Color
Pink Blue Yellow Green Total
Female 48 24 18 30 120
Gender Male 55 34 9 18 116
Total 103 58 27 48 236

Which of the following is the appropriate null hypothesis for this test?
(a) The distribution of first toy chosen is 25% for each color, regardless of gender.
(b) Males are more likely to choose a blue toy and females are more likely to choose a pink toy.
(c) The distribution of color is the same for male and female 12- to 18-month-old children.
(d) Color of first toy chosen is associated with gender in the population of 12- to 18-month old children.
(e) First toy chosen is independent of gender in the population of 12- to 18-month old children.

Answer 1

The correct null hypothesis for the study on color preference between male and female toddlers is that there is no difference in the distribution of color preference based on gender (option c).

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate null hypothesis for the test looking at whether there is a difference in color preference between male and female toddlers is (c) The distribution of color is the same for male and female 12- to 18-month-old children.

A null hypothesis is a statement that there is no effect or no difference, and in this case, it suggests that gender does not influence color preference. The alternative hypothesis would be that there is a difference in color preferences based on gender.