One of the most common uses of confidence intervals is found in political polls and the news articles that reference them. These articles often use the point estimate (the proportion), and you can usually find the margin of error (half of the confidence interval) somewhere in the article as well. For example, consider the following scenario:Two separate polling organizations have conducted polls for two candidates who are running for state senate, Gail Schultz and Raymond McGregor. The polls were taken from the same population, in the same state, and on the same day.The survey from the first company, Pollster Analytics, shows Gail having 49% of the potential vote. It also shows Raymond having an estimated 47% of likely voters. Both results reflect a margin of error of 2 percentage points (usually depicted as ±2%).The survey from the second company, Polltastik, shows Raymond at 49% and Gail at 46%. This survey has a 3-percentage-point margin of error (±3%).In this Discussion, you will compare the outcomes of the surveys in the scenario and apply the concept of confidence intervals to make a prediction for the upcoming election, as well as discuss their implications.To prepare for this Discussion:Review this week’s Learning Resources.Refer to the scenario described above and consider who is ahead in the race and why.Review the Academic Writing Expectations for 2000/3000-Level Courses, provided in this week’s Learning Resources.By Day 3Post a 150- to 225-word (2- to 3-paragraph) explanation of how you applied confidence intervals to make predictions about the outcome of a political campaign. In your explanation, address the following:After reviewing both polls, what is now known about who might be ahead in the race? Explain who is ahead and why.Explain what the implications of these polls are for the campaign managers for Gail and Raymond.To support your response, be sure to reference at least one properly cited scholarly source.Refer to the Week 4 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.

Assignment 2: t Tests in PracticeThe practice of quantitative research not only involves statistical calculations and formulas but also involves the understanding of statistical techniques related to real world applications. You might not become a quantitative researcher nor use statistical methods in your profession, but as a consumer, citizen, and scholar-practitioner, it will be important for you to become a critical consumer of research, which will empower you to read, interpret, and evaluate the strength of claims made in scholarly material and daily news.For this Assignment, you will critically evaluate a scholarly article related to t tests.To prepare for this Assignment:Search for and select a quantitative article specific to your discipline and related to t tests. Help with this task may be found in the Course guide and assignment help linked in this week’s Learning Resources.For this Assignment:Write a 2- to 3-page critique of the article. In your critique, include responses to the following:Why did the authors use this t test?Do you think it’s the most appropriate choice? Why or why not?Did the authors display the data?Do the results stand alone? Why or why not?By Day 7Submit Assignment 2: t tests in Practice.