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Worked solution

Interpret an upper-tail p-value in context

Based on past data, the mean number of dengue cases per day was reported as 30. The authorities suspect that the recent hot and wet weather has increased the mean number of dengue cases per day. A random sample of 60 days is taken and the number of dengue cases per day, XX, is summarised by

∑(x−8)=1400,∑(x−8)2=34800.\sum(x-8)=1400,\qquad\sum(x-8)^2=34800.

(i) Calculate unbiased estimates of the mean and variance of XX. marks

(ii) Test, at the 5% significance level, whether the mean number of dengue cases per day has increased. marks

Explain, in the context of the question, the meaning of the p-value. mark

[2011/DHS/II/10(part of)]

CJC · Review problems · Question 5

Answer

xˉ=94/3\bar x=94/3, s2=6400/177s^2=6400/177; z=1.71756z=1.71756, p≈0.04294p\approx 0.04294: reject at 5%.

(i) Reconstruct the centered estimates

xˉ=8+1400/60=94/3\bar x=8+1400/60=94/3. The unbiased variance is s2=34800−14002/6059=6400177.\begin{aligned}&s^2\\ & =\frac{34800-1400^2/60}{59}\\ & =\frac{6400}{177}.\end{aligned}

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(ii) P-value method

Let μ\mu be the population mean daily case count. Test H0:μ=30H_0:\mu=30 against H1:μ>30H_1:\mu>30. Under H0H_0, Xˉ≈N(30,(6400/177)/60)\bar X\approx N(30,(6400/177)/60) using the large sample. Then z=94/3−30(6400/177)/60=1.717556404.\begin{aligned}&z\\ & =\frac{94/3-30}{\sqrt{(6400/177)/60}}\\ & =1.717556404.\end{aligned} The upper-tail p-value is 0.0429387790<0.050.0429387790<0.05, so reject H0H_0: there is sufficient evidence at 5% that the mean daily count exceeds 30. Source calculator input: Z-Test Stats, null 30, estimated standard deviation 6.013168224, sample mean 94/3,n 60, greater-than alternative; its displayed p≈.0429387435 agrees.

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(ii) Critical-value method

The 5% upper-tail critical value is Φ−1(0.95)=1.644853627\Phi^{-1}(0.95)=1.644853627. Since z=1.717556404z=1.717556404 exceeds it, the same rejection decision follows.

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Meaning of p

If the population mean really is 30 cases per day, the approximate probability that a random sample of 60 days has a mean at least as large as the observed 94/394/3 is 0.04294. This probability is conditional on the null model; it is not the probability that the increased-mean claim is false.

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Dengue mean: 5% upper-tail test: standard normal, right-tail rejection region, critical magnitude 1.64485, total shaded probability 0.05. Observed statistic 1.71756.
Dengue mean: 5% upper-tail test: standard normal, right-tail rejection region, critical magnitude 1.64485, total shaded probability 0.05. Observed statistic 1.71756.
Dengue mean: 5% upper-tail test: standard normal, right-tail rejection region, critical magnitude 1.64485, total shaded probability 0.05. Observed statistic 1.71756.

Common mistakes

Condition the p-value interpretation on a population mean of 30 and a sample size of 60.

Solution notes

Source prose rounds p to.0430 while its calculator shows.0429387435; independent value is.0429387790. Source critical value 1.6445 is a small transcription error for 1.644853627 (≈1.6449). Neither changes the decision.

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