Statistics Project: Male and Female Mathematics Scores

Statistics Project
Student Name:
Instructor Name:
Course Number:
25 April 2019

Discussion of Topic
The topic of discussion is on the Mathematics scores for the male and the female students. This
topic was chosen based on the debate that it has drawn over the past years. Several studies have
highlighted that significant differences exist between the average scores for the male and female
students in mathematics tests. This study considered the average scores for the two different
groups (male and female students) from 1995 to 2010. The question that this study sought to
answer is, “Are the average scores in mathematics for the female and male students the same?”
Discussion of Part 1
In order to test for whether the average scores in mathematics for the female and male students
was the same or not, an independent samples t-test was performed.
In this section we present a bar chart comparing the average scores in mathematics for the male
and female students. From the graph, it can be seen that the male students (21.4) have different
mathematics test scores when compared to the female students (M = 20.2).

From the graph, it can be concluded that the male students perform better in mathematics as
compared to the female students.
Based on the analysis, I am confident with the results of the findings since they comply with the
previous studies that have been done. I feel that the sample, though small led to accurate
conclusions. What makes me feel that the data is good is the fact that the data was randomly
selected. However, on the other hand I feel that the sample used is too small that may make the
data to be unreliable. Despite all these, I feel confident about the conclusions made about the two
populations under study.
Discussion of Hypothesis Statement
The following hypothesis was tested for this study;
H0 : μm=μf
H A : μm ≠ μf
Where μm =average score for the male students
μf =average score for the male students
The above hypothesis means that for the null hypothesis the mean scores for the male and female
students are the same while the alternative hypothesis state that the mean scores for the male and
female students are different.
Discussion of Hypothesis Test Results
An independent samples t-test was performed to compare the average scores of the female and
male students in a mathematics test. A two-tailed test was done based on the fact that the exact