Nonverbal communication (e.g., the use of hand gestures) is a common form of human expression. Some researchers believe it may even help people make quicker decisions. To test this belief, a team of researchers conducted a study in which they recorded the time it took 12 college students to count scattered dots on a computer screen. Half (n = 6) the students pointed to the dots as they counted (Group Gesture); the other half (n = 6) were told not to point as they counted (Group No Gesture). The table lists the time it took students in each group to correctly count the dots (in seconds).
Speed of Counting (in seconds)
Group Gesture ________________________ Group No Gesture
22 .............................................................32
16 .............................................................27
18 .............................................................24
14 .............................................................31
26 .............................................................29
18 .............................................................31
(a) Find the confidence limits at a 99% CI for these two independent samples.
(b) Can we conclude that using hand gestures to count the dots resulted in quicker counting? Explain.