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MATH 1281 - Unit 3 Discussion Assignment

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Agriculture plays a vital role in Ghana's economy, with maize being one of the staple crops

cultivated across various regions. The choice of fertilizer—whether organic or synthetic—can

significantly impact crop yields. To explore this relationship, an experiment was designed to

investigate if the type of fertilizer used affects maize yields in different regions of Ghana. This

analysis employs the chi-square test for homogeneity to determine if there is an association

between fertilizer type and maize yields across regions.

Conditions for Chi-Square Test for Homogeneity

1. Independent Samples: The samples of maize crops from different regions and treated

with different fertilizers must be independent. This independence ensures that the yield of

maize in one region is not influenced by the yield in another region, and similarly, the

type of fertilizer used in one region does not affect the yield in another region.

2. Expected Frequencies: Each combination of fertilizer type and region should have an

expected frequency count of at least 5. This criterion ensures that the chi-square test

statistic follows an approximate chi-square distribution, enhancing the reliability of the

analysis.

3. Random Sampling: The samples of maize crops and the selection of fertilizers should be

randomly chosen. Random sampling ensures that the results are representative of the

larger population of maize crops in Ghana and that any observed differences are not due

to systematic biases in sample selection.

4. Categorical Data: The data collected should be categorical, with each observation falling

into one of the categories—organic fertilizer or synthetic fertilizer—and belonging to a


specific region (e.g., region 1, region 2, etc.). Categorical data are essential for

conducting the chi-square test for homogeneity accurately.

Null Hypothesis (H0) and Rejection Condition

The null hypothesis (H0) for this experiment states that the type of fertilizer used does not

influence the yield of maize across different regions in Ghana. In simpler terms, there is no

association between the type of fertilizer and the region regarding maize yield. The rejection

condition for the null hypothesis occurs when the calculated chi-square test statistic exceeds the

critical chi-square value at a chosen significance level, typically set at 0.05.

Conclusion in the Context of the Experiment

Upon conducting the chi-square test for homogeneity, if the calculated chi-square value

surpasses the critical value at the chosen significance level (e.g., 0.05), the null hypothesis would

be rejected. This rejection would imply a significant relationship between the type of fertilizer

(organic or synthetic) and the region concerning maize yield in Ghana.

Expanding on the Experiment

The experiment involves collecting data on maize yields from various regions of Ghana,

including Ashanti, Eastern, Central, Northern, and Western regions. Within each region, both

organic and synthetic fertilizers are used on separate plots of maize crops. The yield data are then

tabulated into a two-way table, which displays the counts for combinations of fertilizer type and

region.

For example, the table might look like this:

Region Organic Fertilizer Synthetic Fertilizer Total


Ashanti 300 320 620

Eastern 280 310 590

Central 320 330 650

Northern 270 290 560

Western 310 300 610

Total 1480 1550 3030

To conduct the chi-square test for homogeneity, we follow these steps:

1. Calculate Expected Frequencies: Based on the total counts and marginal frequencies, we

calculate the expected frequency for each cell in the table. For instance, the expected

frequency for the cell representing Ashanti region and organic fertilizer use would be

(620 * 1480) / 3030 = 302.61.

2. Compute Chi-Square Statistic: Using the formula for chi-square, we compute the chi-

square statistic by summing the squared differences between observed and expected

frequencies divided by the expected frequencies for all cells in the table.

3. Determine Degrees of Freedom: The degrees of freedom for the chi-square test are

calculated as (number of rows - 1) * (number of columns - 1).

4. Find Critical Chi-Square Value: Based on the degrees of freedom and chosen significance

level (e.g., 0.05), we look up the critical chi-square value from the chi-square distribution

table.

5. Compare Calculated Chi-Square Value: If the calculated chi-square value is greater than

the critical chi-square value, we reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is a

significant relationship between fertilizer type and maize yields across regions.
In the context of our experiment, let's assume the calculated chi-square value is 16.75, and the

critical chi-square value at 0.05 significance level with 4 degrees of freedom is 9.49. Since 16.75

> 9.49, we reject the null hypothesis. This rejection indicates that the type of fertilizer (organic or

synthetic) does indeed influence maize yields across different regions in Ghana.

Conclusion and Practical Implications

Based on the results of the chi-square test for homogeneity, we can draw practical conclusions

and make recommendations for agricultural practices in Ghana. If organic fertilizer consistently

yields higher maize yields compared to synthetic fertilizer across all regions, farmers and

policymakers may consider promoting organic farming practices. This promotion could include

providing subsidies or incentives for adopting organic fertilizers, educating farmers on organic

farming methods, and investing in research to further optimize organic farming techniques for

Ghanaian conditions (Diez, et al., 2019).

Conversely, if there is no significant difference in maize yields based on fertilizer type across

regions, farmers have the flexibility to choose either organic or synthetic fertilizers based on

other factors such as cost, availability, and environmental considerations. This flexibility allows

for a diversified approach to agricultural practices, catering to the diverse needs and constraints

faced by farmers in different regions of Ghana.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the chi-square test for homogeneity provides a robust statistical method for

analyzing the relationship between categorical variables, such as fertilizer type and crop yields,

in agricultural experiments. By adhering to the conditions for this test and interpreting the results
appropriately, researchers and policymakers can make informed decisions that contribute to

sustainable agricultural development and food security in Ghana and beyond (Diez, et al., 2019).
References

Diez, D., Cetinkaya-Rundel, M., Barr C. D., & Barr, C. D. (2019). OpenIntro statistics - Fourth

edition. Open Textbook Library.

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