MHB Calculating Power for a Study: Population µ = 100, σ = 20

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The discussion focuses on calculating the power of a study with a population mean (µ) of 100 and standard deviation (σ) of 20, using a sample of 50 participants. The initial calculations incorrectly determined the power to be 57.53%, which was identified as the type II error (β). The correct power is 42.47%, calculated as 1 - β. A key point raised is the importance of distinguishing between areas in Z tables, specifically the need to reference the area to the right of the calculated z-value for power. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate statistical analysis in hypothesis testing.
TrielaM
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I have had some issues with an equation in one of my classes, hoping some one can point out what I am going wrong. If anyone can point out some flaw in my process or calculations I would appreciate it. The problem lists:

Population µ = 100, σ = 20. Planning to have a sample of 50 participants, and expect the sample mean to be 5 points different from the population mean. Use non-directional hypothesis and α = .05.

What is the Power for this planned study?​

My calculations:
σ /(SqrRt)n = 20/(SqrRt) 50 = 20/7.071 = 2.828 Standard error
α = .05 = z = +1.96
1.96(2.828) = 5.543

z= (M-µ)/Standard Error = (105.543-105)/2.828 = .543/2.828 = 0.19

Z Table: .19 = .5753
Power = 57.53%
 
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TrielaM said:
I have had some issues with an equation in one of my classes, hoping some one can point out what I am going wrong. If anyone can point out some flaw in my process or calculations I would appreciate it. The problem lists:

Population µ = 100, σ = 20. Planning to have a sample of 50 participants, and expect the sample mean to be 5 points different from the population mean. Use non-directional hypothesis and α = .05.

What is the Power for this planned study?​

My calculations:
σ /(SqrRt)n = 20/(SqrRt) 50 = 20/7.071 = 2.828 Standard error
α = .05 = z = +1.96
1.96(2.828) = 5.543

z= (M-µ)/Standard Error = (105.543-105)/2.828 = .543/2.828 = 0.19

Z Table: .19 = .5753
Power = 57.53%

Welcome to MHB, TrielaM! :)

It appears you have calculated the type II error $\beta$.
The power is its complement.

Power.png


In your case:
\begin{aligned}\beta &= 57.53\% \\
\text{Power} &= 42.47\% \end{aligned}
 
Thank you very much for the reply. So in the process I used I needed to add a step for 1-B. Would this step be applicable all the time with this form of equation or no? The books I was using didn't include this but it was certainly the correct answer, instead it had you pull from a Z table in the section for the body, where as here the answer was found in the tail. At least I know where I was flubbing up though I am still not sure how to make the distinction.
 
TrielaM said:
Thank you very much for the reply. So in the process I used I needed to add a step for 1-B. Would this step be applicable all the time with this form of equation or no?

Yes.
I would suggest always drawing a picture though, like the one I have included in my previous post.

The books I was using didn't include this but it was certainly the correct answer, instead it had you pull from a Z table in the section for the body, where as here the answer was found in the tail. At least I know where I was flubbing up though I am still not sure how to make the distinction.

Apparently you pulled your result from a Z table that gives the area to the left, which is pretty standard and often shown in a small graph next to the table.
As a result your value of z=0.19 gives you the green area.

Power.png


But you need the blue area, which is the area to the right of z=0.19.

Note that the power of a test (the blue area) is the probability that we reject the null hypothesis when it should indeed be rejected, because the alternative hypothesis is true.
 
There is a nice little variation of the problem. The host says, after you have chosen the door, that you can change your guess, but to sweeten the deal, he says you can choose the two other doors, if you wish. This proposition is a no brainer, however before you are quick enough to accept it, the host opens one of the two doors and it is empty. In this version you really want to change your pick, but at the same time ask yourself is the host impartial and does that change anything. The host...

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