Barry calculates an F-ratio for a one-way ANOVA comparing the incomes of graduates of three different SJSU majors and rejects the null hypothesis. Which of the following is the most appropriate conclusion he could draw?
A) The income levels for the three majors are all different from each other.
B) The income levels for the three majors do not differ from each other.
C) Income levels vary as a function of major.
D) The analysis supports the research hypothesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the null hypothesis is rejected in a one-way ANOVA, it means that there is a statistically significant difference in at least one of the group means. Therefore, the appropriate conclusion would be that income levels vary as a function of major. Option A and B are too specific and do not take into account the possibility of some differences between the groups. Option D is also not the best choice because it implies that the analysis definitively proves the researcher's hypothesis, which is not necessarily the case.

Barry Calculates an F-Ratio for a One-Way ANOVA Comparing the Incomes