Question: A sample of 15 individuals took their tax material to the institute. They were asked to work on their own tax returns and spend as long as they want. The actual time spent was recorded for each person. A second sample of individuals was selected and were provided with an institute short course free of charge. Then the time it took each of these people to complete their tax returns were recorded. 2 people dropped out of the second sample. (Assume population variance from two populations from which two samples were drawn are equal)

The following summary stats were record for each of the samples in hours:

No tax course Short Course

Sample Size (n1)=15 Sample Size n2=13

Sample mean X1 =5.3 hrs Sample mean X2=4.9 hrs

Sample Standard Deviation, s1=2 hrs Sample Std Dev, s2=2.8 hrs

Based on the sample data what should be concluded about the average time it takes to complete an individuals income taxes with and without the short courses offered? Use a=.01 (meaning alpha=.01?)