Question

An organization is contemplating the implementation of a drug test as part of screening potential employees. The drug test is not 100% effective, i.e., it occasionally classifies drug users as nonusers and vice-versa. Assume that the null hypothesis for the test is that a job candidate is not a drug user. Which of the following would be a Type II error?
a. A false positive (concluding the job candidate is a drug user when he or she is not)
b. A true positive (concluding the job candidate is a drug user when he or she indeed is)
c. A false negative (concluding the job candidate is not a drug user when he or she indeed is)
d. A true negative (concluding the job candidate is not a drug user when he or she is not)
e. There cannot be a Type Il error in this kind of drug testing.

Answer 1

Answer:

(c) A false negative (concluding the job candidate is not a drug user when he or she indeed is)

Step-by-step explanation:

First, we need to determine if it is possible for type II error to occur or not.

In analysis, type 2 error occurs when the stated null hypothesis is false.

The given null hypothesis here is  "a job candidate is not a drug user" which indicates false. This means that option (e) cannot be the solution.

Having established that there is a possibility for an occurrence of type II error.

Next, is to determine the error.

Type II error implies false negative; hence, options (a), (b) and (d) cannot be the solution.

(c) is correct.