Are Japanese managers more motivated than American managers? A randomly selected group of 100 managers from each group were administered the Sarnoff Survey of Attitudes Toward Life (SSATL), which measures motivation for upward mobility. The mean and standard deviation of the SSATL scores were computed. The standard deviations of the SSATL scores suggest that the standard deviation from the two groups is very different. Which of the following tests will be the most appropriate?
A) t test for the mean
B) Z test for the proportion
C) Pooled-variance t test
D) Separate-variance t test

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A separate-variance t test should be used when the standard deviations of the two groups are significantly different. This is the case in this scenario, as the standard deviations of the Japanese and American managers are different. Therefore, D is the most appropriate test to use in this situation. A t test for the mean, Z test for the proportion, and pooled-variance t test all assume that the two groups have the same standard deviation, which is not the case in this scenario.

Are Japanese Managers More Motivated Than American Managers? a Randomly