Figure 8-2

Intervals and Overlap When two intervals, like those for “whatever” and “you know,” do not overlap, we conclude that the population means are likely different. In the population, it seems that “whatever” really is more annoying than “you know.” However, when two intervals do overlap, like those for “it is what it is” and “anyway,” then it is plausible that the two phrases are deemed equal—in this case, equally annoying—in the population.