Research Methodology

December 6, 2018
 Z Test
• A test of hypothesis
• Can be used if the data is approximately normally
distributed
• Sample size should be > 30 ( if not use T test)
• Data should be a random selection from
population
• Sample size should be approximately equal
 Z Test - Example
Blood glucose levels for obese patients have a
mean of 100 with a standard deviation of 15. A
researcher thinks that a diet high in raw
cornstarch will have a positive effect on blood
glucose levels. A sample of 36 patients who have
tried the raw cornstarch diet have a mean glucose
level of 108. Test the hypothesis that the raw
cornstarch had an effect or not.

Population Mean = 100

Population Standard Deviation = 15
Sample Size = 36
Sample Mean = 108
 Z Test - Example
• Step 1: State the hypothesis
Null Hypothesis H0 :  = 100
Alternate Hypothesis HA :  > 100
• Step 2: Set the significance level
Set p value as 0.05
• Step 3: Compute the random chance probability
Z Test - Formula
 Z Test - Formula
• Z = (108 – 100)/ (15/36)
= 8/2.5
= 3.2
• Use upper tailed if you want to prove increase
• Use lower tailed if you want to prove decrease
• Use Two tailed if you want to prove that there is a
difference
• Using the upper tailed table, for 0.05 level, the Z
value is 1.645
• Since obtained value 3.2 < 1.645, we reject the null
hypothesis and conclude that the raw corn starch
diet has a positive effect on blood glucose levels
 Z Test - Table
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