Statistics: Chi-square Test of Independence, Null Hypothesis

STATISTICS
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Abstract
This study examines the differences in suicidal ideation arising from three distinct races as a result of incurable pathological diseases. The participants in this study are randomly selected and their responses subjected to the Chi-square test of independence in order to determine the support or rejection of the null hypothesis. Underlying assumptions linked to suicide are important since they impact on reporting of both fatal and non-fatal suicidal attempts as well as in seeking help for already vulnerable people. Ethnicity and race are considered to play a great role in forming suicidal ideations. Usually, the suicidal ideations arise from differences in beliefs and acceptability levels of suicide among various races. This study, therefore, seeks to find out the suicide acceptability levels of three races – the Whites, the Blacks, and the Hispanics (though not really considered a race by itself). The acceptability levels of suicide in various races determine – to a large extent – the likelihood of people in those races to commit suicide. This study employs vignettes that direct the respondents to hypothesize the likely causes of death of people who initially suffered from incurable diseases. The Chi-square method will also be utilized in the analysis and tabulation of data. A detailed discussion of the study will follow as well as recommendations for future research projects.
Keywords: Chi-square test of independence, null hypothesis, suicidal ideations
Introduction
Suicide is currently the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year old, youth as well as young adults in the United States. Additionally, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States for all age brackets (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005). It is estimated that there are between 8 – 25 non-fatal suicide attempts for every fatal attempt. Suicidal ideations are usually due to different reasons including financial incapacitation, loneliness, some forms of insecurities, diseases, failure, feelings of hopelessness, and academic challenges (Goldblatt, 2010). On the part of diseases, suicidal ideations can arise due to the following: hopelessness (especially for the chronic diseases), financial incapacitation, loneliness, stress, and depression. Normally, people tend to feel hopeless and stressed, especially when they are suffering from an incurable disease such as the various forms of cancers and HIV/AIDS.
Such feelings or initiators can be overwhelming to the sick person, creating suicidal feelings in him or her. However, the formation of suicidal feelings will tend to differ from one race to another. For example, there exists some qualitative evidence that suicide is a "white undertaking"; this has mainly to do with the Black Americans. Previous research has revealed that the Blacks may be hesitant to even disclose suicidal feelings let alone suicidal attempts. This is because of the Blacks’ beliefs that suicide is actually a form of denial of the Black culture and identity. There are also beliefs in some Blacks that because of their successful struggle in the society, the Black community is resilient and, therefore, should not engage in such acts of cowardice such as committing suicide.
Researchers carried out a quite detailed perception analysis of a sample of African American and European American university students (Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009). Their findings revealed that Black American participants are more likely to refer to God as solely responsible for human life (as opposed to individual or government) than their European American counterparts. On the other hand, the Black community and the Hispanics have got strong communal ties that provide support - in any form – to their own. For example, sick individuals from both cultures tend to receive enough support and care compared to the White culture where the sick may end up in nursing care homes. The isolation observed in the Whites may serve to fuel suicidal ideations given that the sick do not receive the much needed family care and support. For the Blacks and Hispanics, their sick have enough support and care, and are therefore less likely to suffer suicidal ideations. This is also the main reason why the Whites rank first in the number of suicidal attempts – both fatal and non-fatal – in people with incurable physical illnesses. The Blacks and Hispanics rank second and third, respectively in their likelihood to commit suicide due to the debilitation caused by incurable diseases.
Null Hypothesis
There exists no relationship between race and suicide attributions among the three races: Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics.
Alternate Hypotheses
1 The participants in the study are more likely to classify the subjects’ deaths in the vignettes as suicide if the subject is White than if the subject is Hispanic or Black and suffering from incurable physical illness.
2 The Black and Hispanic participants will classify the vignettes subjects’ deaths as suicide less likely than their White counterparts.
3 The participants’ classification for the cause of death will depend on race.
Methodology and Materials
The 898 participants were subjected to a series of vignettes that contained subjects from different races. The participants were to observe the vignettes and report back on the cause of death of the subjects in those vignettes. The participants were divided depending on their race in the following order: (1) White, (2) Blacks, and (3) Hispanics. Further, the three races had two variables based on the two genders: Male and femal...