Unit 2, Question 7

Provide the null and alternative hypotheses in statistical (notation) and research (words) format for the following research question.

Research Question:

Did the use of herbal supplements lead to improvements in memory?

Although there is a popular belief that herbal remedies such as Gingko biloba and Ginseng may improve learning and memory in healthy adults, these effects are usually not supported by well-controlled research (Persson, Bringlov, Nilsson, & Nyberg, 2004). In a recent study, a researcher obtained a sample ofn = 16 participants and had each person take the herbal supplement every day for 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, each person took a standardized memory test. For the general population, the scores on this memory test form a normal distribution with a = 50 and = 12. The sample of research participants had an average score of M = 54.