A new computer software package has been introduced

A new computer software package has been introduced to help systems analysts reduce the time required to design, develop, and implement an information system. To assess whether the new software technology requires less time than the current process, a random sample of 24 systems analysts is selected. Each analyst is given specifications for a hypothetical information system. Then 12 of the analysts are instructed to produce the information system by using the current process. The other 12 analyst are trained to use the new software package and then instructed to use it to produce the information system.

The results of the study follow:

Current New

Sample mean 325 hours 286 hours

Sample standard dev. 40 hours 44 hours

Formulate the null and an alternative hypothesis.

What are the assumptions, if any, required for this test?

Compute the test statistic.

Using a level of significance of 10% for the test, what is your conclusion?

What is an approximate p-value for this test?