Week 2: Topic 2

In this topic let us see the application of topic 1

(i.e Standard Error of Means (SEM), normality
of distributions of SEM, measure of variability
of sample means, spread of sample means
around population means and measure of
divergence of sample mean from population
mean etc.) in research problems
Example 1
The mean and standard deviation of
500 teachers of higher education in
India in a test of technology enhanced
learning were 46 and 7.8 respectively.
How well this sample mean represents
the population mean?
Solution
Sample size (n) = 500
Sample Mean (Ms) = 46
Standard Deviation of Sample = 7.8
Standard Error of Mean (σM)
= σ/√n
  = 7.8/√500
Sample mean 46 will deviate the
population mean by 3σM

3 σM = 3 x 0.35
= 1.05
Sample mean 46 will deviate the
population mean by 1.05
As we don’t know the exact populations mean
(Mpop), however, we can say with confidence that
the obtained sample mean 46 will miss the
population mean at best by 1.05
HOW CAN YOU INTERPRET?
Our Mpop may be 1.05 more than the populations
mean OR 1.05 less than the population mean.
Alternatively, we can say that our sample mean will
not miss the population mean by more than 1.05
From Table A
CASE 1: 68.26% lie between ± 1 σM
i.e 68 out of 100 sample means will
be between Mpop -1 σM and
Mpop + 1 σM
1 σM = 1 x 0.35
= 0. 35
Sample Mean will be within the range
of 0.35 less than the Mpop OR
0.35 more than the Mpop.
The probability of our sample mean
being in the range is 0.68
i.e p is 0.68 that our sample mean of 46
will not miss the Mpop by more than
Conversely,
p is 0.32 that our sample mean of 46
will miss the MPOP by more than 0.35
i.e we are 68 % confident that our
sample mean of 46 will not miss the
Mpop by more than 0.35
CASE 2: 95% lie between ± 1.96 σM
i.e 95 out of 100 sample means will be
between Mpop – 1.96 σM and

Mpop + 1.96 σM
1.96 σM = 1.96 x 0.35
= 0.67
Sample Mean will be within the range
of 0.67 less than the Mpop OR
0.67 more than the Mpop
The probability of our sample mean
being in the range is 0.95
i.e p is 0.95 that our sample mean of 46
will not miss the Mpop by more than
Conversely,
p is .05 that our sample mean of 46 will
miss the MPOP by more than 0.67
i.e we are 95 % confident that our
sample mean of 46 will not miss the
Mpop by more than 0.67
CASE 3: 99% lie between ± 2.58 σM
i.e 99 out of 100 sample means will be
between Mpop – 2.58 σM and

Mpop + 2.58 σM
2.58 σM = 2.58 x 0.35
= 0.90
Sample Mean will be within the range
of 0.90 less than the Mpop or
0.90 more than the Mpop.
The probability of our sample mean
being in the range is 0.99
i.e. p is 0.99 that our sample mean of 46
will not miss the Mpop by more than
Conversely,
p is .01 that our sample mean of 46 will
miss the MPOP by more than 0.90
i.e we are 99 % confident that our
sample mean of 46 will not miss the
Mpop by more than 0.90
These statements establish the
STABILITY OF THE SAMPLE
MEAN and signify the probable deviation
of Sample Mean from the Population
Mean.

Size of the probable deviation of Sample Mean

from the Population Mean is a MEASURE
OF EFFICIENCY with which Mpop can be
estimated from Ms
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS I
Mean and standard deviation of 300
employees of a multi national company in a
test of critical thinking were 42 and 6.8
respectively. How will the mean represent
the population of that company.
[Hints: You are advised to interpret the
probable deviation of sample mean from the
population mean at different level of confidence]
CONFIDENCE INTERVAL
Now, let us see, knowing the sample
mean for a particular degree of
confidence,
how to set up the limits for Population
Mean (Mpop)?
CASE I
Refer to the NORMAL PROBABILITY
CURVE (NPC),
99.73% cases lie between M ± 3 σM
i.e. All sample means M ± 3 σM defines
99.73% confidence
will be between
interval
Mpop ± 3 σM between the between
the limit Ms ± 3 σM
There are two possibilities:
If, Ms is extreme left of NPC
Ms = Mpop - 3 σM
Mpop = Ms + 3 σM 
OR If, Ms is extreme right of NPC
Ms = Mpop + 3 σM
M =M -3σ
With 99.73% confidence we can say
that Mpop lies between Ms ± 3 σM
The degree of confidence is expressed
by p=.9973
We are 99.73% correct (p=.9973) that
Mpop lies between Ms ± 1.3 σM
Conversely, we are 1% wrong (p=.01) that
Mpop lies outside the interval Ms ± 3 σM
CASE II
Refer to the NORMAL PROBABILITY
CURVE (NPC)
95% cases lie between M ± 1.96 σM
i.e. ALL sample means M ± 1.96 σM defines
95% confidence interval
will be between
between the between
Mpop ± 1.96 σM the limit
Ms ± 1.96 σM
There are two possibilities:  
If Ms is extreme left of NPC
Ms = Mpop – 1.96 σM
Mpop = Ms + 1.96 σM
OR If Ms is extreme right of NPC
Ms = Mpop + 1.96 σM
M = M – 1.96 σ
With 95% confidence we can say that Mpop
lies between Ms ± 1.96 σM
The degree of confidence is expressed by
p=.95
We are 95% correct (p=.95) that Mpop lies
between Ms ± 1.96 σM.
Conversely, we are 5% wrong (p=.05) that
Mpop lies outside the interval Ms ± 1.96 σM
CASE III
Refer to the NORMAL PROBABILITY
CURVE (NPC)
99% cases lie between M ± 2.58 σM
i.e. All sample means M ± 2.58 σ M defines
99% confidence interval
will be between
between the between
Mpop ± 2.58 σM the limit
Ms ± 2.58 σM
There are two possibilities:
If Ms is extreme left of NPC
Ms = Mpop – 2.58 σM
Mpop = Ms + 2.58 σM
OR
If Ms is extreme right of NPC
Ms = Mpop + 2.58 σM
With 99% confidence we can say that Mpop
lies between Ms ± 2.58 σM
The degree of confidence is expressed by
p=.99
We are 99% correct (p=.99) that Mpop lies
between Ms ± 2.58 σM.
Conversely, we are 1% wrong (p=.01) that
Mpoplies outside the interval Ms ± 2.58 σM
Mpop is a fixed value.
It
Th should not be assumed any value
between/within specified range.
Therefore, we use probability figure
(p= .95 /or p= .99) as an expression of
our confidence that the interval includes
the Mpop

Thank you