what would constitute a Type I Error

Question

A) Give an example of a Null Hypothesis that might be made in healthcare. B) Referring to this Null Hypothesis, please describe what would constitute a Type I Error

Answer 1

Type I error is rejecting the true null hypothesis.

 

So in the healthcare industry a new drug is tested to reduce blood pressure

among certain types of patients. The patients are divided into 2 groups,

one group given the drug the other the placebo. The average blood pressures

are taken both before and after the treatment.

 

The null hypothesis is that the average blood pressure is LESS than

the advertised mean average.

 

However the results show differently and the null hypothesis is rejected,

as there is no statistical evidence to show significant differences in the mean

blood pressure for THIS particular experiment

 

It turns out however that the drug DOES in fact have an affect on the average blood pressure and the hypothesis was rejected in error.

 

Subsequent follow up experiments will show different results in this case, which then brings about further research.