<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

The hypothesis test itself has an established process. This can be summarized as follows:

  1. Determine H o and H a . Remember, they are contradictory.
  2. Determine the random variable.
  3. Determine the distribution for the test.
  4. Draw a graph, calculate the test statistic, and use the test statistic to calculate the p-value    . (A z-score and a t-score are examples of test statistics.)
  5. Compare the preconceived α with the p-value, make a decision (reject or do not reject H o ), and write a clear conclusion using English sentences.

Notice that in performing the hypothesis test, you use α and not β . β is needed to help determine the sample size of the data that is used in calculating the p-value. Rememberthat the quantity 1 - β is called the Power of the Test . A high power is desirable. If the power is too low, statisticians typically increase the sample size while keeping α the same. If the power is low, the null hypothesis might not be rejected when it should be.

Practice Key Terms 2

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Elementary statistics. OpenStax CNX. Dec 30, 2013 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10966/1.4
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Elementary statistics' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask