Question:

A study was done to assess malnutrition among young children. 100 children were selected each from rural and urban areas. Out of these, 30 among rural and 20 among urban were found to be malnourished. Which of the following statistical tests is used to compare the data sets?

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The outcome is a proportion of a categorical variable, not a mean.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Paired t-test
  • Chi-square test
  • Standard error of mean
  • ANOVA
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify the type of data. Malnourished versus not malnourished is a qualitative (categorical) variable, and the result is expressed as a proportion: 30 of 100 rural and 20 of 100 urban.
Step 2: To test whether the difference between two proportions is statistically significant, the chi-square test is used. It compares observed and expected frequencies in a contingency table and also works when more than two groups are compared.
Step 3: Why not the others. The paired t-test and ANOVA compare means of quantitative data, not proportions. The standard error of the mean is a measure of precision, not a test of significance. With categorical proportions, chi-square is the right tool.
Ref: Park's PSM, 24e, p. 889.
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