Values for the labor force participation rate of women (LFPR) are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We are interested in whether there was a difference between female participation in 1968 and 1972, a time of rapid change for women. We check LFPR values for 19 randomly selected cities for 1968 and 1972. Shown below is software output for two possible tests:
Paired t-Test of ((1 - 2)
Test HO: ( (1972-1968) = 0 vs Ha: ( (1972-1968) ≠ 0
Mean of Paired Differences = 0.0337
t-Statistic = 2.458 with 18 df
p = 0.0244
2-Sample t-Test of (l - (2
H0: (l - (2 = 0 Ha: (1 - (2 ≠ 0
Test Ho: ( (1972) - ( (1968) = 0 vs
Ha: ( (1972) - ((1968) ≠ 0
Difference Between Means = 0.0337
t-Statistic = 1.496 with 35 df
p = 0.1434
a) Which of these tests is appropriate for these data? Explain.
b) Using the test you selected, state your conclusion.