Correct statement related to confidence interval

In summary, the conversation is discussing the correct answer to a question about the use of a proportion in statistics. The correct answer is option (a) because it is the only option that does not imply that the proportion is a random variable. The hint given is to be skeptical of any statement that uses words like "chance" or "time" when referring to the proportion. Instead, statisticians prefer to use the term "confidence" to indicate their level of belief in the proportion.
  • #1
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
None
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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  • #2
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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  • #3
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
 
  • #4
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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  • #5
Thank you very much FactChecker
 

1. What is a confidence interval?

A confidence interval is a range of values that is likely to include the true value of a population parameter with a certain level of confidence. It is often used in statistics to estimate the true value of a population based on a sample of data.

2. How is a confidence interval calculated?

A confidence interval is calculated using a formula that takes into account the sample mean, sample size, and the standard deviation of the sample. The most commonly used formula is the "plus-minus" formula, where the sample mean is the center of the interval and the margin of error is added and subtracted from the mean to create the range of values.

3. What does the confidence level represent?

The confidence level represents the probability that the true value of the population parameter falls within the calculated confidence interval. For example, a 95% confidence level means that there is a 95% chance that the true population parameter falls within the interval.

4. Can a confidence interval be 100% accurate?

No, a confidence interval cannot be 100% accurate. It is an estimate based on a sample of data, and there is always a chance that the true population parameter falls outside of the calculated interval. However, a higher confidence level (such as 99% or 99.9%) can provide a narrower interval and increase the accuracy of the estimate.

5. How is a confidence interval used in hypothesis testing?

In hypothesis testing, a confidence interval can be used to determine if there is a significant difference between two groups or if an observed effect is due to chance. If the confidence interval includes the null hypothesis value, then the result is not statistically significant. If the interval does not include the null hypothesis value, then the result is statistically significant.

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