Question

A researcher is interested in comparing the usage of bank debit cards by consumers in rural (r) and urban (u) areas. Each year for the past five years, she has surveyed 500 individuals (one‑half urban, one‑half rural) randomly selected from across the United States. She is specifically interested in any differences that may exist between the two groups with regard to usage. The results of the current study indicate that people in urban areas use bank debit cards 12 times per month on average, while those in rural areas use bank cards 10 times per month on average. Which of the following is the null hypothesis that the researcher should use in comparing the usage rates?a Urban people's monthly average usage of bank debit cards is 12 times, while rural people's monthly average usage of bank debit cards is 10 timesb Urban people's monthly usage rate of bank debit cards is 1.2 times higher than than rural people's monthly debit card usagec There is no difference in average monthly usage of debit cards between urban and rural people.d Urban people's monthly average usage rate of bank debit cards is lower than rural people's monthly average debit card usage.e none of the above

Answer 1

A researcher is interested in comparing the usage of bank debit cards by consumers in rural (r) and urban (u) areas. Each year for the past five years, she has surveyed 500 individuals (one‑half urban, one‑half rural) randomly selected from across the United States. She is specifically interested in any differences that may exist between the two groups with regard to usage. The results of the current study indicate that people in urban areas use bank debit cards 12 times per month on average, while those in rural areas use bank cards 10 times per month on average. Which of the following is the null hypothesis that the researcher should use in comparing the usage rates?

Option C is the correct answer.

Explanation:

The null hypothesis is the hypothesis of no difference. Therefore, the appropriate null hypothesis will be:

There is no difference in the average monthly usage of debit cards between urban and rural people.

Therefore, option C is the correct answer.