Three males and three females are given 5 minutes to memorize a list of 25 words, and then asked to recall as many of them as possible. The three males recalled 10, 12, and 14 of the words, for an average of 12 words; the three females recalled 11, 14, and 17 of the words, for an average of 14 words.
a. In comparing males’ and females’ ability for memorization, what would be reasonable null and alternative hypotheses to test in this situation?
b. The difference in means for the two groups in this sample was two words. Using that as the “test statistic,” explain how you could carry out a permutation test in this situation.
c. Give one example of a permutation from the method you explained in part (b), and what the “test statistic” would be for that permutation.