Determine whether the samples are independent or dependent. A data set included the daily number of words spoken by 210 randomly selected women and 210 randomly selected men. a. The samples are independent because there is a natural pairing between the two samples. b. The samples are dependent because there is a natural pairing between the two samples. c. The samples are dependent because there is not a natural pairing between the two samples. d. The samples are independent because there is not a natural pairing between the two samples.

The correct answer is:

The samples are independent because there is not a natural pairing between the two samples. (d.)

Step-by-step explanation:

Paired samples or dependent samples are samples in which natural matching or coupling occur, thus creating a data set where data from one sample is uniquely paired to another sample because they are from related groups. Examples are: pre-test/post-test data gotten before and after an intervention, samples from siblings, twins, couples etc.

On the other hand, independent or unpaired samples are those data sets that are gotten from unrelated groups, these type of samples are gotten by matching randomly sampling two unrelated groups without first matching the subjects. In our example, the sample from randomly selected women and men are not paired and unrelated, hence they are independent samples.