TABLE 10-2
A researcher randomly sampled 30 graduates of an MBA program and recorded data concerning their starting salaries. Of primary interest to the researcher was the effect of gender on starting salaries. The result of the pooled-variance t test of the mean salaries of the females (Population 1) and males (Population 2) in the sample is given below.

-Referring to Table 10-2, the researcher was attempting to show statistically that the female MBA graduates have a significantly lower mean starting salary than the male MBA graduates. Which of the following is an appropriate alternative hypothesis?

Question

TABLE 10-2
A researcher randomly sampled 30 graduates of an MBA program and recorded data concerning their starting salaries. Of primary interest to the researcher was the effect of gender on starting salaries. The result of the pooled-variance t test of the mean salaries of the females (Population 1) and males (Population 2) in the sample is given below.
 
-Referring to Table 10-2, the researcher was attempting to show statistically that the female MBA graduates have a significantly lower mean starting salary than the male MBA graduates. Which of the following is an appropriate alternative hypothesis?
A) H₁: μfₑmₐlₑs > μmₐlₑs 
B) H₁: μfₑmₐlₑs < μmₐlₑs 
C) H₁: μfₑmₐlₑs ≠ μmₐlₑs 
D) H₁: μfₑmₐlₑs = μmₐlₑs

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The appropriate alternative hypothesis is that the mean starting salary of female MBA graduates is lower than that of male MBA graduates, which corresponds to option B. Option A implies that the mean starting salary of female MBA graduates is higher than that of male MBA graduates, which is the opposite of what the researcher was attempting to show. Option C implies a two-tailed test, which is not consistent with the researcher's objective of showing that the mean starting salary of female MBA graduates is lower than that of male MBA graduates. Option D is a null hypothesis, which is not an appropriate alternative hypothesis. Therefore, the best choice is B.

TABLE 10-2 A Researcher Randomly Sampled 30 Graduates of an MBA Program