Correct statement related to confidence interval

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding confidence intervals and the interpretation of statistical statements related to proportions, specifically in the context of left-handed students. Participants are examining the correctness of various statements regarding the nature of the proportion and its representation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the distinction between fixed values and random variables in the context of proportions. There is confusion regarding the interpretation of options (a) to (d) and their implications about the nature of the proportion.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the interpretation of the proportion as a fixed value rather than a random variable. There is ongoing exploration of the differences between the options presented, with no clear consensus yet on which option is correct.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of statements that use terms like "99% chance," which may misrepresent the nature of the proportion being discussed. There is a focus on the importance of understanding confidence in statistical terms.

songoku
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Homework Statement
A student was asked to find a 99% confidence interval for the proportion of students who are left-handed using data of randomly chosen 80 students. Which of the following is the correct interpretation of interval 0.20 < p < 0.40? You may choose more than one option
a) With 99% confidence, the proportion of all students who are left-handed is between 0.20 and 0.40
b) There is a 99% chance that the proportion of the population is between 0.20 and 0.40
c) There is a 99% chance that the proportion of left-handed students in a sample of 80 students will be between 0.20 and 0.40
d) The proportion of all students who are left-handed is between 0.20 and 0.40, 99% of the time
e) With 99% confidence, a randomly selected student who are left-handed in the proportion of their classes that is between 0.20 and 0.40
Relevant Equations
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I think (e) is wrong because the proportion should be out of the whole population, not only in a certain class and option (a) to (d) looks like identical to me so I answered (a), (b), (c) and (d) but my answer is wrong.

Where is my mistake? Thanks
 
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Remember that p represents a single value, the proportion of students who are left-handed. That is not a random variable. So rule out any statement that talks as though it is a random variable with a probability.
 
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FactChecker said:
Remember that p represents a single value, the proportion of students who are left-handed. That is not a random variable. So rule out any statement that talks as though it is a random variable with a probability.
I understand your hint but I seem can't tell the difference between options (a) to (d). Is the correct answer only (a)?

Thanks
 
Be very skeptical of anything that says "99% chance" or "99% of the time". That might imply that p is a random variable rather than a fixed number. As a single fixed number, it always is or it always isn't. There is no "% chance" or "% of the time". That is why statisticians like to use the word "confidence". It indicates their strength of belief rather than implying that p is a random variable.
 
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Thank you very much FactChecker
 

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