Refer to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology (Vol. 142, 2010) study of the characteristics of cheek teeth (e.g., molars) in an extinct primate species, Exercise 2.14. Recall that the researchers measured the dentary depth of molars (in millimeters) for 18 cheek teeth extracted from skulls. These depth measurements are reproduced in the accompanying table. The researchers are interested in the median molar depth of all cheek teeth from this extinct primate species. In particular, they want to know if the population median differs from 15 mm.

a. Specify the null and alternative hypothesis of interest to the researchers.

b. Explain why the sign test is appropriate to apply in this case.

c. A MINITAB printout of the analysis is shown below. Locate the test statistic on the printout.

d. Find the p-value on the printout, and use it to draw a conclusion. Test using α = .05.

Data from Exercise 2.14

The characteristics of cheek teeth (e.g., molars) can provide anthropologists with information on the dietary habits of extinct mammals. The cheek teeth of an extinct primate species was the subject of research reported in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology (Vol. 142, 2010). A total of 18 cheek teeth extracted from skulls discovered in western Wyoming were analyzed. Each tooth was classified according to degree of wear (unworn, slight, light-moderate, moderate, moderate-heavy, or heavy). In addition, the researchers recorded the dentary depth of molars (in millimeters) for each tooth.

Transcribed Image Text:

CНEEKTEETH 18.12 19.48 19.36 15.94 15.83 19.70 15.76 17.00 16.20 13.96 16.55 15.70 17.83 13.25 16.12 18.13 14.02 14.04