Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis testing is a tool for making statistical inferences about the population data. It is an analysis tool that tests assumptions and determines how likely something is within a given standard of accuracy. Hypothesis testing provides a way to verify whether the results of an experiment are valid.

A null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis are set up before performing the hypothesis testing. This helps to arrive at a conclusion regarding the sample obtained from the population. In this article, we will learn more about hypothesis testing, its types, steps to perform the testing, and associated examples.

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What is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics?

Hypothesis testing uses sample data from the population to draw useful conclusions regarding the population probability distribution . It tests an assumption made about the data using different types of hypothesis testing methodologies. The hypothesis testing results in either rejecting or not rejecting the null hypothesis.

Hypothesis Testing Definition

Hypothesis testing can be defined as a statistical tool that is used to identify if the results of an experiment are meaningful or not. It involves setting up a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis. These two hypotheses will always be mutually exclusive. This means that if the null hypothesis is true then the alternative hypothesis is false and vice versa. An example of hypothesis testing is setting up a test to check if a new medicine works on a disease in a more efficient manner.

Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is a concise mathematical statement that is used to indicate that there is no difference between two possibilities. In other words, there is no difference between certain characteristics of data. This hypothesis assumes that the outcomes of an experiment are based on chance alone. It is denoted as \(H_{0}\). Hypothesis testing is used to conclude if the null hypothesis can be rejected or not. Suppose an experiment is conducted to check if girls are shorter than boys at the age of 5. The null hypothesis will say that they are the same height.

Alternative Hypothesis

The alternative hypothesis is an alternative to the null hypothesis. It is used to show that the observations of an experiment are due to some real effect. It indicates that there is a statistical significance between two possible outcomes and can be denoted as \(H_{1}\) or \(H_{a}\). For the above-mentioned example, the alternative hypothesis would be that girls are shorter than boys at the age of 5.

Hypothesis Testing P Value

In hypothesis testing, the p value is used to indicate whether the results obtained after conducting a test are statistically significant or not. It also indicates the probability of making an error in rejecting or not rejecting the null hypothesis.This value is always a number between 0 and 1. The p value is compared to an alpha level, \(\alpha\) or significance level. The alpha level can be defined as the acceptable risk of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis. The alpha level is usually chosen between 1% to 5%.

Hypothesis Testing Critical region

All sets of values that lead to rejecting the null hypothesis lie in the critical region. Furthermore, the value that separates the critical region from the non-critical region is known as the critical value.

Hypothesis Testing Formula

Depending upon the type of data available and the size, different types of hypothesis testing are used to determine whether the null hypothesis can be rejected or not. The hypothesis testing formula for some important test statistics are given below:

  • z = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}\). \(\overline{x}\) is the sample mean, \(\mu\) is the population mean, \(\sigma\) is the population standard deviation and n is the size of the sample.
  • t = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{s}{\sqrt{n}}}\). s is the sample standard deviation.
  • \(\chi ^{2} = \sum \frac{(O_{i}-E_{i})^{2}}{E_{i}}\). \(O_{i}\) is the observed value and \(E_{i}\) is the expected value.

We will learn more about these test statistics in the upcoming section.

Types of Hypothesis Testing

Selecting the correct test for performing hypothesis testing can be confusing. These tests are used to determine a test statistic on the basis of which the null hypothesis can either be rejected or not rejected. Some of the important tests used for hypothesis testing are given below.

Hypothesis Testing Z Test

A z test is a way of hypothesis testing that is used for a large sample size (n ≥ 30). It is used to determine whether there is a difference between the population mean and the sample mean when the population standard deviation is known. It can also be used to compare the mean of two samples. It is used to compute the z test statistic. The formulas are given as follows:

  • One sample: z = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}\).
  • Two samples: z = \(\frac{(\overline{x_{1}}-\overline{x_{2}})-(\mu_{1}-\mu_{2})}{\sqrt{\frac{\sigma_{1}^{2}}{n_{1}}+\frac{\sigma_{2}^{2}}{n_{2}}}}\).

Hypothesis Testing t Test

The t test is another method of hypothesis testing that is used for a small sample size (n < 30). It is also used to compare the sample mean and population mean. However, the population standard deviation is not known. Instead, the sample standard deviation is known. The mean of two samples can also be compared using the t test.

  • One sample: t = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{s}{\sqrt{n}}}\).
  • Two samples: t = \(\frac{(\overline{x_{1}}-\overline{x_{2}})-(\mu_{1}-\mu_{2})}{\sqrt{\frac{s_{1}^{2}}{n_{1}}+\frac{s_{2}^{2}}{n_{2}}}}\).

Hypothesis Testing Chi Square

The Chi square test is a hypothesis testing method that is used to check whether the variables in a population are independent or not. It is used when the test statistic is chi-squared distributed.

One Tailed Hypothesis Testing

One tailed hypothesis testing is done when the rejection region is only in one direction. It can also be known as directional hypothesis testing because the effects can be tested in one direction only. This type of testing is further classified into the right tailed test and left tailed test.

Right Tailed Hypothesis Testing

The right tail test is also known as the upper tail test. This test is used to check whether the population parameter is greater than some value. The null and alternative hypotheses for this test are given as follows:

\(H_{0}\): The population parameter is ≤ some value

\(H_{1}\): The population parameter is > some value.

If the test statistic has a greater value than the critical value then the null hypothesis is rejected

Right Tail Hypothesis Testing

Left Tailed Hypothesis Testing

The left tail test is also known as the lower tail test. It is used to check whether the population parameter is less than some value. The hypotheses for this hypothesis testing can be written as follows:

\(H_{0}\): The population parameter is ≥ some value

\(H_{1}\): The population parameter is < some value.

The null hypothesis is rejected if the test statistic has a value lesser than the critical value.

Left Tail Hypothesis Testing

Two Tailed Hypothesis Testing

In this hypothesis testing method, the critical region lies on both sides of the sampling distribution. It is also known as a non - directional hypothesis testing method. The two-tailed test is used when it needs to be determined if the population parameter is assumed to be different than some value. The hypotheses can be set up as follows:

\(H_{0}\): the population parameter = some value

\(H_{1}\): the population parameter ≠ some value

The null hypothesis is rejected if the test statistic has a value that is not equal to the critical value.

Two Tail Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis Testing Steps

Hypothesis testing can be easily performed in five simple steps. The most important step is to correctly set up the hypotheses and identify the right method for hypothesis testing. The basic steps to perform hypothesis testing are as follows:

  • Step 1: Set up the null hypothesis by correctly identifying whether it is the left-tailed, right-tailed, or two-tailed hypothesis testing.
  • Step 2: Set up the alternative hypothesis.
  • Step 3: Choose the correct significance level, \(\alpha\), and find the critical value.
  • Step 4: Calculate the correct test statistic (z, t or \(\chi\)) and p-value.
  • Step 5: Compare the test statistic with the critical value or compare the p-value with \(\alpha\) to arrive at a conclusion. In other words, decide if the null hypothesis is to be rejected or not.

Hypothesis Testing Example

The best way to solve a problem on hypothesis testing is by applying the 5 steps mentioned in the previous section. Suppose a researcher claims that the mean average weight of men is greater than 100kgs with a standard deviation of 15kgs. 30 men are chosen with an average weight of 112.5 Kgs. Using hypothesis testing, check if there is enough evidence to support the researcher's claim. The confidence interval is given as 95%.

Step 1: This is an example of a right-tailed test. Set up the null hypothesis as \(H_{0}\): \(\mu\) = 100.

Step 2: The alternative hypothesis is given by \(H_{1}\): \(\mu\) > 100.

Step 3: As this is a one-tailed test, \(\alpha\) = 100% - 95% = 5%. This can be used to determine the critical value.

1 - \(\alpha\) = 1 - 0.05 = 0.95

0.95 gives the required area under the curve. Now using a normal distribution table, the area 0.95 is at z = 1.645. A similar process can be followed for a t-test. The only additional requirement is to calculate the degrees of freedom given by n - 1.

Step 4: Calculate the z test statistic. This is because the sample size is 30. Furthermore, the sample and population means are known along with the standard deviation.

z = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}\).

\(\mu\) = 100, \(\overline{x}\) = 112.5, n = 30, \(\sigma\) = 15

z = \(\frac{112.5-100}{\frac{15}{\sqrt{30}}}\) = 4.56

Step 5: Conclusion. As 4.56 > 1.645 thus, the null hypothesis can be rejected.

Hypothesis Testing and Confidence Intervals

Confidence intervals form an important part of hypothesis testing. This is because the alpha level can be determined from a given confidence interval. Suppose a confidence interval is given as 95%. Subtract the confidence interval from 100%. This gives 100 - 95 = 5% or 0.05. This is the alpha value of a one-tailed hypothesis testing. To obtain the alpha value for a two-tailed hypothesis testing, divide this value by 2. This gives 0.05 / 2 = 0.025.

Related Articles:

  • Probability and Statistics
  • Data Handling

Important Notes on Hypothesis Testing

  • Hypothesis testing is a technique that is used to verify whether the results of an experiment are statistically significant.
  • It involves the setting up of a null hypothesis and an alternate hypothesis.
  • There are three types of tests that can be conducted under hypothesis testing - z test, t test, and chi square test.
  • Hypothesis testing can be classified as right tail, left tail, and two tail tests.

Examples on Hypothesis Testing

  • Example 1: The average weight of a dumbbell in a gym is 90lbs. However, a physical trainer believes that the average weight might be higher. A random sample of 5 dumbbells with an average weight of 110lbs and a standard deviation of 18lbs. Using hypothesis testing check if the physical trainer's claim can be supported for a 95% confidence level. Solution: As the sample size is lesser than 30, the t-test is used. \(H_{0}\): \(\mu\) = 90, \(H_{1}\): \(\mu\) > 90 \(\overline{x}\) = 110, \(\mu\) = 90, n = 5, s = 18. \(\alpha\) = 0.05 Using the t-distribution table, the critical value is 2.132 t = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{s}{\sqrt{n}}}\) t = 2.484 As 2.484 > 2.132, the null hypothesis is rejected. Answer: The average weight of the dumbbells may be greater than 90lbs
  • Example 2: The average score on a test is 80 with a standard deviation of 10. With a new teaching curriculum introduced it is believed that this score will change. On random testing, the score of 38 students, the mean was found to be 88. With a 0.05 significance level, is there any evidence to support this claim? Solution: This is an example of two-tail hypothesis testing. The z test will be used. \(H_{0}\): \(\mu\) = 80, \(H_{1}\): \(\mu\) ≠ 80 \(\overline{x}\) = 88, \(\mu\) = 80, n = 36, \(\sigma\) = 10. \(\alpha\) = 0.05 / 2 = 0.025 The critical value using the normal distribution table is 1.96 z = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}\) z = \(\frac{88-80}{\frac{10}{\sqrt{36}}}\) = 4.8 As 4.8 > 1.96, the null hypothesis is rejected. Answer: There is a difference in the scores after the new curriculum was introduced.
  • Example 3: The average score of a class is 90. However, a teacher believes that the average score might be lower. The scores of 6 students were randomly measured. The mean was 82 with a standard deviation of 18. With a 0.05 significance level use hypothesis testing to check if this claim is true. Solution: The t test will be used. \(H_{0}\): \(\mu\) = 90, \(H_{1}\): \(\mu\) < 90 \(\overline{x}\) = 110, \(\mu\) = 90, n = 6, s = 18 The critical value from the t table is -2.015 t = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{s}{\sqrt{n}}}\) t = \(\frac{82-90}{\frac{18}{\sqrt{6}}}\) t = -1.088 As -1.088 > -2.015, we fail to reject the null hypothesis. Answer: There is not enough evidence to support the claim.

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FAQs on Hypothesis Testing

What is hypothesis testing.

Hypothesis testing in statistics is a tool that is used to make inferences about the population data. It is also used to check if the results of an experiment are valid.

What is the z Test in Hypothesis Testing?

The z test in hypothesis testing is used to find the z test statistic for normally distributed data . The z test is used when the standard deviation of the population is known and the sample size is greater than or equal to 30.

What is the t Test in Hypothesis Testing?

The t test in hypothesis testing is used when the data follows a student t distribution . It is used when the sample size is less than 30 and standard deviation of the population is not known.

What is the formula for z test in Hypothesis Testing?

The formula for a one sample z test in hypothesis testing is z = \(\frac{\overline{x}-\mu}{\frac{\sigma}{\sqrt{n}}}\) and for two samples is z = \(\frac{(\overline{x_{1}}-\overline{x_{2}})-(\mu_{1}-\mu_{2})}{\sqrt{\frac{\sigma_{1}^{2}}{n_{1}}+\frac{\sigma_{2}^{2}}{n_{2}}}}\).

What is the p Value in Hypothesis Testing?

The p value helps to determine if the test results are statistically significant or not. In hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis can either be rejected or not rejected based on the comparison between the p value and the alpha level.

What is One Tail Hypothesis Testing?

When the rejection region is only on one side of the distribution curve then it is known as one tail hypothesis testing. The right tail test and the left tail test are two types of directional hypothesis testing.

What is the Alpha Level in Two Tail Hypothesis Testing?

To get the alpha level in a two tail hypothesis testing divide \(\alpha\) by 2. This is done as there are two rejection regions in the curve.

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  • Knowledge Base

Test statistics | Definition, Interpretation, and Examples

Published on July 17, 2020 by Rebecca Bevans . Revised on June 22, 2023.

The test statistic is a number calculated from a statistical test of a hypothesis. It shows how closely your observed data match the distribution expected under the null hypothesis of that statistical test.

The test statistic is used to calculate the p value of your results, helping to decide whether to reject your null hypothesis.

Table of contents

What exactly is a test statistic, types of test statistics, interpreting test statistics, reporting test statistics, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about test statistics.

A test statistic describes how closely the distribution of your data matches the distribution predicted under the null hypothesis of the statistical test you are using.

The distribution of data is how often each observation occurs, and can be described by its central tendency and variation around that central tendency. Different statistical tests predict different types of distributions, so it’s important to choose the right statistical test for your hypothesis.

The test statistic summarizes your observed data into a single number using the central tendency, variation, sample size, and number of predictor variables in your statistical model.

Generally, the test statistic is calculated as the pattern in your data (i.e., the correlation between variables or difference between groups) divided by the variance in the data (i.e., the standard deviation ).

  • Null hypothesis ( H 0 ): There is no correlation between temperature and flowering date.
  • Alternate hypothesis ( H A or H 1 ): There is a correlation between temperature and flowering date.

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formula of test a hypothesis

Below is a summary of the most common test statistics, their hypotheses, and the types of statistical tests that use them.

Different statistical tests will have slightly different ways of calculating these test statistics, but the underlying hypotheses and interpretations of the test statistic stay the same.

Test statistic Null and alternative hypotheses Statistical tests that use it
value The means of two groups are equal

The means of two groups are not equal

test
value The means of two groups are equal

The means of two groups are not equal

test
value The variation among two or more groups is greater than or equal to the variation between the groups

The variation among two or more groups is smaller than the variation between the groups

-value Two samples are independent

Two samples are not independent (i.e., they are correlated)

correlation tests

In practice, you will almost always calculate your test statistic using a statistical program (R, SPSS, Excel, etc.), which will also calculate the p value of the test statistic. However, formulas to calculate these statistics by hand can be found online.

  • a regression coefficient of 0.36
  • a t value comparing that coefficient to the predicted range of regression coefficients under the null hypothesis of no relationship

The t value of the regression test is 2.36 – this is your test statistic.

For any combination of sample sizes and number of predictor variables, a statistical test will produce a predicted distribution for the test statistic. This shows the most likely range of values that will occur if your data follows the null hypothesis of the statistical test.

The more extreme your test statistic – the further to the edge of the range of predicted test values it is – the less likely it is that your data could have been generated under the null hypothesis of that statistical test.

The agreement between your calculated test statistic and the predicted values is described by the p value . The smaller the p value, the less likely your test statistic is to have occurred under the null hypothesis of the statistical test.

Because the test statistic is generated from your observed data, this ultimately means that the smaller the p value, the less likely it is that your data could have occurred if the null hypothesis was true.

Test statistics can be reported in the results section of your research paper along with the sample size, p value of the test, and any characteristics of your data that will help to put these results into context.

Whether or not you need to report the test statistic depends on the type of test you are reporting.

Which statistics to report
Correlation and regression tests or regression coefficient for each predictor variable value for each predictor
Tests of difference between groups value for the test statistic

By surveying a random subset of 100 trees over 25 years we found a statistically significant ( p < 0.01) positive correlation between temperature and flowering dates ( R 2 = 0.36, SD = 0.057).

In our comparison of mouse diet A and mouse diet B, we found that the lifespan on diet A  ( M = 2.1 years; SD = 0.12) was significantly shorter than the lifespan on diet B ( M = 2.6 years; SD = 0.1), with an average difference of 6 months ( t (80) = -12.75; p < 0.01).

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If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

  • Confidence interval
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Measures of central tendency
  • Correlation coefficient

Methodology

  • Cluster sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Types of interviews
  • Cohort study
  • Thematic analysis

Research bias

  • Implicit bias
  • Cognitive bias
  • Survivorship bias
  • Availability heuristic
  • Nonresponse bias
  • Regression to the mean

A test statistic is a number calculated by a  statistical test . It describes how far your observed data is from the  null hypothesis  of no relationship between  variables or no difference among sample groups.

The test statistic tells you how different two or more groups are from the overall population mean , or how different a linear slope is from the slope predicted by a null hypothesis . Different test statistics are used in different statistical tests.

The formula for the test statistic depends on the statistical test being used.

Generally, the test statistic is calculated as the pattern in your data (i.e. the correlation between variables or difference between groups) divided by the variance in the data (i.e. the standard deviation ).

The test statistic you use will be determined by the statistical test.

You can choose the right statistical test by looking at what type of data you have collected and what type of relationship you want to test.

The test statistic will change based on the number of observations in your data, how variable your observations are, and how strong the underlying patterns in the data are.

For example, if one data set has higher variability while another has lower variability, the first data set will produce a test statistic closer to the null hypothesis , even if the true correlation between two variables is the same in either data set.

Statistical significance is a term used by researchers to state that it is unlikely their observations could have occurred under the null hypothesis of a statistical test . Significance is usually denoted by a p -value , or probability value.

Statistical significance is arbitrary – it depends on the threshold, or alpha value, chosen by the researcher. The most common threshold is p < 0.05, which means that the data is likely to occur less than 5% of the time under the null hypothesis .

When the p -value falls below the chosen alpha value, then we say the result of the test is statistically significant.

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Unit 12: Significance tests (hypothesis testing)

About this unit.

Significance tests give us a formal process for using sample data to evaluate the likelihood of some claim about a population value. Learn how to conduct significance tests and calculate p-values to see how likely a sample result is to occur by random chance. You'll also see how we use p-values to make conclusions about hypotheses.

The idea of significance tests

  • Simple hypothesis testing (Opens a modal)
  • Idea behind hypothesis testing (Opens a modal)
  • Examples of null and alternative hypotheses (Opens a modal)
  • P-values and significance tests (Opens a modal)
  • Comparing P-values to different significance levels (Opens a modal)
  • Estimating a P-value from a simulation (Opens a modal)
  • Using P-values to make conclusions (Opens a modal)
  • Simple hypothesis testing Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Writing null and alternative hypotheses Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Estimating P-values from simulations Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Error probabilities and power

  • Introduction to Type I and Type II errors (Opens a modal)
  • Type 1 errors (Opens a modal)
  • Examples identifying Type I and Type II errors (Opens a modal)
  • Introduction to power in significance tests (Opens a modal)
  • Examples thinking about power in significance tests (Opens a modal)
  • Consequences of errors and significance (Opens a modal)
  • Type I vs Type II error Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Error probabilities and power Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Tests about a population proportion

  • Constructing hypotheses for a significance test about a proportion (Opens a modal)
  • Conditions for a z test about a proportion (Opens a modal)
  • Reference: Conditions for inference on a proportion (Opens a modal)
  • Calculating a z statistic in a test about a proportion (Opens a modal)
  • Calculating a P-value given a z statistic (Opens a modal)
  • Making conclusions in a test about a proportion (Opens a modal)
  • Writing hypotheses for a test about a proportion Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Conditions for a z test about a proportion Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Calculating the test statistic in a z test for a proportion Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Calculating the P-value in a z test for a proportion Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Making conclusions in a z test for a proportion Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

Tests about a population mean

  • Writing hypotheses for a significance test about a mean (Opens a modal)
  • Conditions for a t test about a mean (Opens a modal)
  • Reference: Conditions for inference on a mean (Opens a modal)
  • When to use z or t statistics in significance tests (Opens a modal)
  • Example calculating t statistic for a test about a mean (Opens a modal)
  • Using TI calculator for P-value from t statistic (Opens a modal)
  • Using a table to estimate P-value from t statistic (Opens a modal)
  • Comparing P-value from t statistic to significance level (Opens a modal)
  • Free response example: Significance test for a mean (Opens a modal)
  • Writing hypotheses for a test about a mean Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Conditions for a t test about a mean Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Calculating the test statistic in a t test for a mean Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Calculating the P-value in a t test for a mean Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!
  • Making conclusions in a t test for a mean Get 3 of 4 questions to level up!

More significance testing videos

  • Hypothesis testing and p-values (Opens a modal)
  • One-tailed and two-tailed tests (Opens a modal)
  • Z-statistics vs. T-statistics (Opens a modal)
  • Small sample hypothesis test (Opens a modal)
  • Large sample proportion hypothesis testing (Opens a modal)

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Lesson 10 of 24 By Avijeet Biswal

What Is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics? Types and Examples

Table of Contents

In today’s data-driven world , decisions are based on data all the time. Hypothesis plays a crucial role in that process, whether it may be making business decisions, in the health sector, academia, or in quality improvement. Without hypothesis & hypothesis tests, you risk drawing the wrong conclusions and making bad decisions. In this tutorial, you will look at Hypothesis Testing in Statistics.

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What Is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics?

Hypothesis Testing is a type of statistical analysis in which you put your assumptions about a population parameter to the test. It is used to estimate the relationship between 2 statistical variables.

Let's discuss few examples of statistical hypothesis from real-life - 

  • A teacher assumes that 60% of his college's students come from lower-middle-class families.
  • A doctor believes that 3D (Diet, Dose, and Discipline) is 90% effective for diabetic patients.

Now that you know about hypothesis testing, look at the two types of hypothesis testing in statistics.

Hypothesis Testing Formula

Z = ( x̅ – μ0 ) / (σ /√n)

  • Here, x̅ is the sample mean,
  • μ0 is the population mean,
  • σ is the standard deviation,
  • n is the sample size.

How Hypothesis Testing Works?

An analyst performs hypothesis testing on a statistical sample to present evidence of the plausibility of the null hypothesis. Measurements and analyses are conducted on a random sample of the population to test a theory. Analysts use a random population sample to test two hypotheses: the null and alternative hypotheses.

The null hypothesis is typically an equality hypothesis between population parameters; for example, a null hypothesis may claim that the population means return equals zero. The alternate hypothesis is essentially the inverse of the null hypothesis (e.g., the population means the return is not equal to zero). As a result, they are mutually exclusive, and only one can be correct. One of the two possibilities, however, will always be correct.

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Null Hypothesis and Alternate Hypothesis

The Null Hypothesis is the assumption that the event will not occur. A null hypothesis has no bearing on the study's outcome unless it is rejected.

H0 is the symbol for it, and it is pronounced H-naught.

The Alternate Hypothesis is the logical opposite of the null hypothesis. The acceptance of the alternative hypothesis follows the rejection of the null hypothesis. H1 is the symbol for it.

Let's understand this with an example.

A sanitizer manufacturer claims that its product kills 95 percent of germs on average. 

To put this company's claim to the test, create a null and alternate hypothesis.

H0 (Null Hypothesis): Average = 95%.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1): The average is less than 95%.

Another straightforward example to understand this concept is determining whether or not a coin is fair and balanced. The null hypothesis states that the probability of a show of heads is equal to the likelihood of a show of tails. In contrast, the alternate theory states that the probability of a show of heads and tails would be very different.

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Hypothesis Testing Calculation With Examples

Let's consider a hypothesis test for the average height of women in the United States. Suppose our null hypothesis is that the average height is 5'4". We gather a sample of 100 women and determine that their average height is 5'5". The standard deviation of population is 2.

To calculate the z-score, we would use the following formula:

z = ( x̅ – μ0 ) / (σ /√n)

z = (5'5" - 5'4") / (2" / √100)

z = 0.5 / (0.045)

We will reject the null hypothesis as the z-score of 11.11 is very large and conclude that there is evidence to suggest that the average height of women in the US is greater than 5'4".

Steps of Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis testing is a statistical method to determine if there is enough evidence in a sample of data to infer that a certain condition is true for the entire population. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved in hypothesis testing:

Formulate Hypotheses

  • Null Hypothesis (H0): This hypothesis states that there is no effect or difference, and it is the hypothesis you attempt to reject with your test.
  • Alternative Hypothesis (H1 or Ha): This hypothesis is what you might believe to be true or hope to prove true. It is usually considered the opposite of the null hypothesis.

Choose the Significance Level (α)

The significance level, often denoted by alpha (α), is the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true. Common choices for α are 0.05 (5%), 0.01 (1%), and 0.10 (10%).

Select the Appropriate Test

Choose a statistical test based on the type of data and the hypothesis. Common tests include t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis . The selection depends on data type, distribution, sample size, and whether the hypothesis is one-tailed or two-tailed.

Collect Data

Gather the data that will be analyzed in the test. This data should be representative of the population to infer conclusions accurately.

Calculate the Test Statistic

Based on the collected data and the chosen test, calculate a test statistic that reflects how much the observed data deviates from the null hypothesis.

Determine the p-value

The p-value is the probability of observing test results at least as extreme as the results observed, assuming the null hypothesis is correct. It helps determine the strength of the evidence against the null hypothesis.

Make a Decision

Compare the p-value to the chosen significance level:

  • If the p-value ≤ α: Reject the null hypothesis, suggesting sufficient evidence in the data supports the alternative hypothesis.
  • If the p-value > α: Do not reject the null hypothesis, suggesting insufficient evidence to support the alternative hypothesis.

Report the Results

Present the findings from the hypothesis test, including the test statistic, p-value, and the conclusion about the hypotheses.

Perform Post-hoc Analysis (if necessary)

Depending on the results and the study design, further analysis may be needed to explore the data more deeply or to address multiple comparisons if several hypotheses were tested simultaneously.

Types of Hypothesis Testing

To determine whether a discovery or relationship is statistically significant, hypothesis testing uses a z-test. It usually checks to see if two means are the same (the null hypothesis). Only when the population standard deviation is known and the sample size is 30 data points or more, can a z-test be applied.

A statistical test called a t-test is employed to compare the means of two groups. To determine whether two groups differ or if a procedure or treatment affects the population of interest, it is frequently used in hypothesis testing.

Chi-Square 

You utilize a Chi-square test for hypothesis testing concerning whether your data is as predicted. To determine if the expected and observed results are well-fitted, the Chi-square test analyzes the differences between categorical variables from a random sample. The test's fundamental premise is that the observed values in your data should be compared to the predicted values that would be present if the null hypothesis were true.

Hypothesis Testing and Confidence Intervals

Both confidence intervals and hypothesis tests are inferential techniques that depend on approximating the sample distribution. Data from a sample is used to estimate a population parameter using confidence intervals. Data from a sample is used in hypothesis testing to examine a given hypothesis. We must have a postulated parameter to conduct hypothesis testing.

Bootstrap distributions and randomization distributions are created using comparable simulation techniques. The observed sample statistic is the focal point of a bootstrap distribution, whereas the null hypothesis value is the focal point of a randomization distribution.

A variety of feasible population parameter estimates are included in confidence ranges. In this lesson, we created just two-tailed confidence intervals. There is a direct connection between these two-tail confidence intervals and these two-tail hypothesis tests. The results of a two-tailed hypothesis test and two-tailed confidence intervals typically provide the same results. In other words, a hypothesis test at the 0.05 level will virtually always fail to reject the null hypothesis if the 95% confidence interval contains the predicted value. A hypothesis test at the 0.05 level will nearly certainly reject the null hypothesis if the 95% confidence interval does not include the hypothesized parameter.

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Simple and Composite Hypothesis Testing

Depending on the population distribution, you can classify the statistical hypothesis into two types.

Simple Hypothesis: A simple hypothesis specifies an exact value for the parameter.

Composite Hypothesis: A composite hypothesis specifies a range of values.

A company is claiming that their average sales for this quarter are 1000 units. This is an example of a simple hypothesis.

Suppose the company claims that the sales are in the range of 900 to 1000 units. Then this is a case of a composite hypothesis.

One-Tailed and Two-Tailed Hypothesis Testing

The One-Tailed test, also called a directional test, considers a critical region of data that would result in the null hypothesis being rejected if the test sample falls into it, inevitably meaning the acceptance of the alternate hypothesis.

In a one-tailed test, the critical distribution area is one-sided, meaning the test sample is either greater or lesser than a specific value.

In two tails, the test sample is checked to be greater or less than a range of values in a Two-Tailed test, implying that the critical distribution area is two-sided.

If the sample falls within this range, the alternate hypothesis will be accepted, and the null hypothesis will be rejected.

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Right Tailed Hypothesis Testing

If the larger than (>) sign appears in your hypothesis statement, you are using a right-tailed test, also known as an upper test. Or, to put it another way, the disparity is to the right. For instance, you can contrast the battery life before and after a change in production. Your hypothesis statements can be the following if you want to know if the battery life is longer than the original (let's say 90 hours):

  • The null hypothesis is (H0 <= 90) or less change.
  • A possibility is that battery life has risen (H1) > 90.

The crucial point in this situation is that the alternate hypothesis (H1), not the null hypothesis, decides whether you get a right-tailed test.

Left Tailed Hypothesis Testing

Alternative hypotheses that assert the true value of a parameter is lower than the null hypothesis are tested with a left-tailed test; they are indicated by the asterisk "<".

Suppose H0: mean = 50 and H1: mean not equal to 50

According to the H1, the mean can be greater than or less than 50. This is an example of a Two-tailed test.

In a similar manner, if H0: mean >=50, then H1: mean <50

Here the mean is less than 50. It is called a One-tailed test.

Type 1 and Type 2 Error

A hypothesis test can result in two types of errors.

Type 1 Error: A Type-I error occurs when sample results reject the null hypothesis despite being true.

Type 2 Error: A Type-II error occurs when the null hypothesis is not rejected when it is false, unlike a Type-I error.

Suppose a teacher evaluates the examination paper to decide whether a student passes or fails.

H0: Student has passed

H1: Student has failed

Type I error will be the teacher failing the student [rejects H0] although the student scored the passing marks [H0 was true]. 

Type II error will be the case where the teacher passes the student [do not reject H0] although the student did not score the passing marks [H1 is true].

Level of Significance

The alpha value is a criterion for determining whether a test statistic is statistically significant. In a statistical test, Alpha represents an acceptable probability of a Type I error. Because alpha is a probability, it can be anywhere between 0 and 1. In practice, the most commonly used alpha values are 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1, which represent a 1%, 5%, and 10% chance of a Type I error, respectively (i.e. rejecting the null hypothesis when it is in fact correct).

A p-value is a metric that expresses the likelihood that an observed difference could have occurred by chance. As the p-value decreases the statistical significance of the observed difference increases. If the p-value is too low, you reject the null hypothesis.

Here you have taken an example in which you are trying to test whether the new advertising campaign has increased the product's sales. The p-value is the likelihood that the null hypothesis, which states that there is no change in the sales due to the new advertising campaign, is true. If the p-value is .30, then there is a 30% chance that there is no increase or decrease in the product's sales.  If the p-value is 0.03, then there is a 3% probability that there is no increase or decrease in the sales value due to the new advertising campaign. As you can see, the lower the p-value, the chances of the alternate hypothesis being true increases, which means that the new advertising campaign causes an increase or decrease in sales.

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Why Is Hypothesis Testing Important in Research Methodology?

Hypothesis testing is crucial in research methodology for several reasons:

  • Provides evidence-based conclusions: It allows researchers to make objective conclusions based on empirical data, providing evidence to support or refute their research hypotheses.
  • Supports decision-making: It helps make informed decisions, such as accepting or rejecting a new treatment, implementing policy changes, or adopting new practices.
  • Adds rigor and validity: It adds scientific rigor to research using statistical methods to analyze data, ensuring that conclusions are based on sound statistical evidence.
  • Contributes to the advancement of knowledge: By testing hypotheses, researchers contribute to the growth of knowledge in their respective fields by confirming existing theories or discovering new patterns and relationships.

When Did Hypothesis Testing Begin?

Hypothesis testing as a formalized process began in the early 20th century, primarily through the work of statisticians such as Ronald A. Fisher, Jerzy Neyman, and Egon Pearson. The development of hypothesis testing is closely tied to the evolution of statistical methods during this period.

  • Ronald A. Fisher (1920s): Fisher was one of the key figures in developing the foundation for modern statistical science. In the 1920s, he introduced the concept of the null hypothesis in his book "Statistical Methods for Research Workers" (1925). Fisher also developed significance testing to examine the likelihood of observing the collected data if the null hypothesis were true. He introduced p-values to determine the significance of the observed results.
  • Neyman-Pearson Framework (1930s): Jerzy Neyman and Egon Pearson built on Fisher’s work and formalized the process of hypothesis testing even further. In the 1930s, they introduced the concepts of Type I and Type II errors and developed a decision-making framework widely used in hypothesis testing today. Their approach emphasized the balance between these errors and introduced the concepts of the power of a test and the alternative hypothesis.

The dialogue between Fisher's and Neyman-Pearson's approaches shaped the methods and philosophy of statistical hypothesis testing used today. Fisher emphasized the evidential interpretation of the p-value. At the same time, Neyman and Pearson advocated for a decision-theoretical approach in which hypotheses are either accepted or rejected based on pre-determined significance levels and power considerations.

The application and methodology of hypothesis testing have since become a cornerstone of statistical analysis across various scientific disciplines, marking a significant statistical development.

Limitations of Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis testing has some limitations that researchers should be aware of:

  • It cannot prove or establish the truth: Hypothesis testing provides evidence to support or reject a hypothesis, but it cannot confirm the absolute truth of the research question.
  • Results are sample-specific: Hypothesis testing is based on analyzing a sample from a population, and the conclusions drawn are specific to that particular sample.
  • Possible errors: During hypothesis testing, there is a chance of committing type I error (rejecting a true null hypothesis) or type II error (failing to reject a false null hypothesis).
  • Assumptions and requirements: Different tests have specific assumptions and requirements that must be met to accurately interpret results.

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After reading this tutorial, you would have a much better understanding of hypothesis testing, one of the most important concepts in the field of Data Science . The majority of hypotheses are based on speculation about observed behavior, natural phenomena, or established theories.

If you are interested in statistics of data science and skills needed for such a career, you ought to explore the Post Graduate Program in Data Science.

If you have any questions regarding this ‘Hypothesis Testing In Statistics’ tutorial, do share them in the comment section. Our subject matter expert will respond to your queries. Happy learning!

1. What is hypothesis testing in statistics with example?

Hypothesis testing is a statistical method used to determine if there is enough evidence in a sample data to draw conclusions about a population. It involves formulating two competing hypotheses, the null hypothesis (H0) and the alternative hypothesis (Ha), and then collecting data to assess the evidence. An example: testing if a new drug improves patient recovery (Ha) compared to the standard treatment (H0) based on collected patient data.

2. What is H0 and H1 in statistics?

In statistics, H0​ and H1​ represent the null and alternative hypotheses. The null hypothesis, H0​, is the default assumption that no effect or difference exists between groups or conditions. The alternative hypothesis, H1​, is the competing claim suggesting an effect or a difference. Statistical tests determine whether to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis based on the data.

3. What is a simple hypothesis with an example?

A simple hypothesis is a specific statement predicting a single relationship between two variables. It posits a direct and uncomplicated outcome. For example, a simple hypothesis might state, "Increased sunlight exposure increases the growth rate of sunflowers." Here, the hypothesis suggests a direct relationship between the amount of sunlight (independent variable) and the growth rate of sunflowers (dependent variable), with no additional variables considered.

4. What are the 2 types of hypothesis testing?

  • One-tailed (or one-sided) test: Tests for the significance of an effect in only one direction, either positive or negative.
  • Two-tailed (or two-sided) test: Tests for the significance of an effect in both directions, allowing for the possibility of a positive or negative effect.

The choice between one-tailed and two-tailed tests depends on the specific research question and the directionality of the expected effect.

5. What are the 3 major types of hypothesis?

The three major types of hypotheses are:

  • Null Hypothesis (H0): Represents the default assumption, stating that there is no significant effect or relationship in the data.
  • Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): Contradicts the null hypothesis and proposes a specific effect or relationship that researchers want to investigate.
  • Nondirectional Hypothesis: An alternative hypothesis that doesn't specify the direction of the effect, leaving it open for both positive and negative possibilities.

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About the Author

Avijeet Biswal

Avijeet is a Senior Research Analyst at Simplilearn. Passionate about Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning, Avijeet is also interested in politics, cricket, and football.

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Hypothesis Testing Calculator

$H_o$:
$H_a$: μ μ₀
$n$ =   $\bar{x}$ =   =
$\text{Test Statistic: }$ =
$\text{Degrees of Freedom: } $ $df$ =
$ \text{Level of Significance: } $ $\alpha$ =

Type II Error

$H_o$: $\mu$
$H_a$: $\mu$ $\mu_0$
$n$ =   σ =   $\mu$ =
$\text{Level of Significance: }$ $\alpha$ =

The first step in hypothesis testing is to calculate the test statistic. The formula for the test statistic depends on whether the population standard deviation (σ) is known or unknown. If σ is known, our hypothesis test is known as a z test and we use the z distribution. If σ is unknown, our hypothesis test is known as a t test and we use the t distribution. Use of the t distribution relies on the degrees of freedom, which is equal to the sample size minus one. Furthermore, if the population standard deviation σ is unknown, the sample standard deviation s is used instead. To switch from σ known to σ unknown, click on $\boxed{\sigma}$ and select $\boxed{s}$ in the Hypothesis Testing Calculator.

$\sigma$ Known $\sigma$ Unknown
Test Statistic $ z = \dfrac{\bar{x}-\mu_0}{\sigma/\sqrt{{\color{Black} n}}} $ $ t = \dfrac{\bar{x}-\mu_0}{s/\sqrt{n}} $

Next, the test statistic is used to conduct the test using either the p-value approach or critical value approach. The particular steps taken in each approach largely depend on the form of the hypothesis test: lower tail, upper tail or two-tailed. The form can easily be identified by looking at the alternative hypothesis (H a ). If there is a less than sign in the alternative hypothesis then it is a lower tail test, greater than sign is an upper tail test and inequality is a two-tailed test. To switch from a lower tail test to an upper tail or two-tailed test, click on $\boxed{\geq}$ and select $\boxed{\leq}$ or $\boxed{=}$, respectively.

Lower Tail Test Upper Tail Test Two-Tailed Test
$H_0 \colon \mu \geq \mu_0$ $H_0 \colon \mu \leq \mu_0$ $H_0 \colon \mu = \mu_0$
$H_a \colon \mu $H_a \colon \mu \neq \mu_0$

In the p-value approach, the test statistic is used to calculate a p-value. If the test is a lower tail test, the p-value is the probability of getting a value for the test statistic at least as small as the value from the sample. If the test is an upper tail test, the p-value is the probability of getting a value for the test statistic at least as large as the value from the sample. In a two-tailed test, the p-value is the probability of getting a value for the test statistic at least as unlikely as the value from the sample.

To test the hypothesis in the p-value approach, compare the p-value to the level of significance. If the p-value is less than or equal to the level of signifance, reject the null hypothesis. If the p-value is greater than the level of significance, do not reject the null hypothesis. This method remains unchanged regardless of whether it's a lower tail, upper tail or two-tailed test. To change the level of significance, click on $\boxed{.05}$. Note that if the test statistic is given, you can calculate the p-value from the test statistic by clicking on the switch symbol twice.

In the critical value approach, the level of significance ($\alpha$) is used to calculate the critical value. In a lower tail test, the critical value is the value of the test statistic providing an area of $\alpha$ in the lower tail of the sampling distribution of the test statistic. In an upper tail test, the critical value is the value of the test statistic providing an area of $\alpha$ in the upper tail of the sampling distribution of the test statistic. In a two-tailed test, the critical values are the values of the test statistic providing areas of $\alpha / 2$ in the lower and upper tail of the sampling distribution of the test statistic.

To test the hypothesis in the critical value approach, compare the critical value to the test statistic. Unlike the p-value approach, the method we use to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis depends on the form of the hypothesis test. In a lower tail test, if the test statistic is less than or equal to the critical value, reject the null hypothesis. In an upper tail test, if the test statistic is greater than or equal to the critical value, reject the null hypothesis. In a two-tailed test, if the test statistic is less than or equal the lower critical value or greater than or equal to the upper critical value, reject the null hypothesis.

Lower Tail Test Upper Tail Test Two-Tailed Test
If $z \leq -z_\alpha$, reject $H_0$. If $z \geq z_\alpha$, reject $H_0$. If $z \leq -z_{\alpha/2}$ or $z \geq z_{\alpha/2}$, reject $H_0$.
If $t \leq -t_\alpha$, reject $H_0$. If $t \geq t_\alpha$, reject $H_0$. If $t \leq -t_{\alpha/2}$ or $t \geq t_{\alpha/2}$, reject $H_0$.

When conducting a hypothesis test, there is always a chance that you come to the wrong conclusion. There are two types of errors you can make: Type I Error and Type II Error. A Type I Error is committed if you reject the null hypothesis when the null hypothesis is true. Ideally, we'd like to accept the null hypothesis when the null hypothesis is true. A Type II Error is committed if you accept the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true. Ideally, we'd like to reject the null hypothesis when the alternative hypothesis is true.

Condition
$H_0$ True $H_a$ True
Conclusion Accept $H_0$ Correct Type II Error
Reject $H_0$ Type I Error Correct

Hypothesis testing is closely related to the statistical area of confidence intervals. If the hypothesized value of the population mean is outside of the confidence interval, we can reject the null hypothesis. Confidence intervals can be found using the Confidence Interval Calculator . The calculator on this page does hypothesis tests for one population mean. Sometimes we're interest in hypothesis tests about two population means. These can be solved using the Two Population Calculator . The probability of a Type II Error can be calculated by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

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Statistics By Jim

Making statistics intuitive

Z Test: Uses, Formula & Examples

By Jim Frost Leave a Comment

What is a Z Test?

Use a Z test when you need to compare group means. Use the 1-sample analysis to determine whether a population mean is different from a hypothesized value. Or use the 2-sample version to determine whether two population means differ.

A Z test is a form of inferential statistics . It uses samples to draw conclusions about populations.

For example, use Z tests to assess the following:

  • One sample : Do students in an honors program have an average IQ score different than a hypothesized value of 100?
  • Two sample : Do two IQ boosting programs have different mean scores?

In this post, learn about when to use a Z test vs T test. Then we’ll review the Z test’s hypotheses, assumptions, interpretation, and formula. Finally, we’ll use the formula in a worked example.

Related post : Difference between Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

Z test vs T test

Z tests and t tests are similar. They both assess the means of one or two groups, have similar assumptions, and allow you to draw the same conclusions about population means.

However, there is one critical difference.

Z tests require you to know the population standard deviation, while t tests use a sample estimate of the standard deviation. Learn more about Population Parameters vs. Sample Statistics .

In practice, analysts rarely use Z tests because it’s rare that they’ll know the population standard deviation. It’s even rarer that they’ll know it and yet need to assess an unknown population mean!

A Z test is often the first hypothesis test students learn because its results are easier to calculate by hand and it builds on the standard normal distribution that they probably already understand. Additionally, students don’t need to know about the degrees of freedom .

Z and T test results converge as the sample size approaches infinity. Indeed, for sample sizes greater than 30, the differences between the two analyses become small.

William Sealy Gosset developed the t test specifically to account for the additional uncertainty associated with smaller samples. Conversely, Z tests are too sensitive to mean differences in smaller samples and can produce statistically significant results incorrectly (i.e., false positives).

When to use a T Test vs Z Test

Let’s put a button on it.

When you know the population standard deviation, use a Z test.

When you have a sample estimate of the standard deviation, which will be the vast majority of the time, the best statistical practice is to use a t test regardless of the sample size.

However, the difference between the two analyses becomes trivial when the sample size exceeds 30.

Learn more about a T-Test Overview: How to Use & Examples and How T-Tests Work .

Z Test Hypotheses

This analysis uses sample data to evaluate hypotheses that refer to population means (µ). The hypotheses depend on whether you’re assessing one or two samples.

One-Sample Z Test Hypotheses

  • Null hypothesis (H 0 ): The population mean equals a hypothesized value (µ = µ 0 ).
  • Alternative hypothesis (H A ): The population mean DOES NOT equal a hypothesized value (µ ≠ µ 0 ).

When the p-value is less or equal to your significance level (e.g., 0.05), reject the null hypothesis. The difference between your sample mean and the hypothesized value is statistically significant. Your sample data support the notion that the population mean does not equal the hypothesized value.

Related posts : Null Hypothesis: Definition, Rejecting & Examples and Understanding Significance Levels

Two-Sample Z Test Hypotheses

  • Null hypothesis (H 0 ): Two population means are equal (µ 1 = µ 2 ).
  • Alternative hypothesis (H A ): Two population means are not equal (µ 1 ≠ µ 2 ).

Again, when the p-value is less than or equal to your significance level, reject the null hypothesis. The difference between the two means is statistically significant. Your sample data support the idea that the two population means are different.

These hypotheses are for two-sided analyses. You can use one-sided, directional hypotheses instead. Learn more in my post, One-Tailed and Two-Tailed Hypothesis Tests Explained .

Related posts : How to Interpret P Values and Statistical Significance

Z Test Assumptions

For reliable results, your data should satisfy the following assumptions:

You have a random sample

Drawing a random sample from your target population helps ensure that the sample represents the population. Representative samples are crucial for accurately inferring population properties. The Z test results won’t be valid if your data do not reflect the population.

Related posts : Random Sampling and Representative Samples

Continuous data

Z tests require continuous data . Continuous variables can assume any numeric value, and the scale can be divided meaningfully into smaller increments, such as fractional and decimal values. For example, weight, height, and temperature are continuous.

Other analyses can assess additional data types. For more information, read Comparing Hypothesis Tests for Continuous, Binary, and Count Data .

Your sample data follow a normal distribution, or you have a large sample size

All Z tests assume your data follow a normal distribution . However, due to the central limit theorem, you can ignore this assumption when your sample is large enough.

The following sample size guidelines indicate when normality becomes less of a concern:

  • One-Sample : 20 or more observations.
  • Two-Sample : At least 15 in each group.

Related posts : Central Limit Theorem and Skewed Distributions

Independent samples

For the two-sample analysis, the groups must contain different sets of items. This analysis compares two distinct samples.

Related post : Independent and Dependent Samples

Population standard deviation is known

As I mention in the Z test vs T test section, use a Z test when you know the population standard deviation. However, when n > 30, the difference between the analyses becomes trivial.

Related post : Standard Deviations

Z Test Formula

These Z test formulas allow you to calculate the test statistic. Use the Z statistic to determine statistical significance by comparing it to the appropriate critical values and use it to find p-values.

The correct formula depends on whether you’re performing a one- or two-sample analysis. Both formulas require sample means (x̅) and sample sizes (n) from your sample. Additionally, you specify the population standard deviation (σ) or variance (σ 2 ), which does not come from your sample.

I present a worked example using the Z test formula at the end of this post.

Learn more about Z-Scores and Test Statistics .

One Sample Z Test Formula

One sample Z test formula.

The one sample Z test formula is a ratio.

The numerator is the difference between your sample mean and a hypothesized value for the population mean (µ 0 ). This value is often a strawman argument that you hope to disprove.

The denominator is the standard error of the mean. It represents the uncertainty in how well the sample mean estimates the population mean.

Learn more about the Standard Error of the Mean .

Two Sample Z Test Formula

Two sample Z test formula.

The two sample Z test formula is also a ratio.

The numerator is the difference between your two sample means.

The denominator calculates the pooled standard error of the mean by combining both samples. In this Z test formula, enter the population variances (σ 2 ) for each sample.

Z Test Critical Values

As I mentioned in the Z vs T test section, a Z test does not use degrees of freedom. It evaluates Z-scores in the context of the standard normal distribution. Unlike the t-distribution , the standard normal distribution doesn’t change shape as the sample size changes. Consequently, the critical values don’t change with the sample size.

To find the critical value for a Z test, you need to know the significance level and whether it is one- or two-tailed.

0.01 Two-Tailed ±2.576
0.01 Left Tail –2.326
0.01 Right Tail +2.326
0.05 Two-Tailed ±1.960
0.05 Left Tail +1.650
0.05 Right Tail –1.650

Learn more about Critical Values: Definition, Finding & Calculator .

Z Test Worked Example

Let’s close this post by calculating the results for a Z test by hand!

Suppose we randomly sampled subjects from an honors program. We want to determine whether their mean IQ score differs from the general population. The general population’s IQ scores are defined as having a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.

We’ll determine whether the difference between our sample mean and the hypothesized population mean of 100 is statistically significant.

Specifically, we’ll use a two-tailed analysis with a significance level of 0.05. Looking at the table above, you’ll see that this Z test has critical values of ± 1.960. Our results are statistically significant if our Z statistic is below –1.960 or above +1.960.

The hypotheses are the following:

  • Null (H 0 ): µ = 100
  • Alternative (H A ): µ ≠ 100

Entering Our Results into the Formula

Here are the values from our study that we need to enter into the Z test formula:

  • IQ score sample mean (x̅): 107
  • Sample size (n): 25
  • Hypothesized population mean (µ 0 ): 100
  • Population standard deviation (σ): 15

Using the formula to calculate the results.

The Z-score is 2.333. This value is greater than the critical value of 1.960, making the results statistically significant. Below is a graphical representation of our Z test results showing how the Z statistic falls within the critical region.

Graph displaying the Z statistic falling in the critical region.

We can reject the null and conclude that the mean IQ score for the population of honors students does not equal 100. Based on the sample mean of 107, we know their mean IQ score is higher.

Now let’s find the p-value. We could use technology to do that, such as an online calculator. However, let’s go old school and use a Z table.

To find the p-value that corresponds to a Z-score from a two-tailed analysis, we need to find the negative value of our Z-score (even when it’s positive) and double it.

In the truncated Z-table below, I highlight the cell corresponding to a Z-score of -2.33.

Using a Z-table to find the p-value.

The cell value of 0.00990 represents the area or probability to the left of the Z-score -2.33. We need to double it to include the area > +2.33 to obtain the p-value for a two-tailed analysis.

P-value = 0.00990 * 2 = 0.0198

That p-value is an approximation because it uses a Z-score of 2.33 rather than 2.333. Using an online calculator, the p-value for our Z test is a more precise 0.0196. This p-value is less than our significance level of 0.05, which reconfirms the statistically significant results.

See my full Z-table , which explains how to use it to solve other types of problems.

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7.4.1 - Hypothesis Testing

Five step hypothesis testing procedure.

In the remaining lessons, we will use the following five step hypothesis testing procedure. This is slightly different from the five step procedure that we used when conducting randomization tests. 

  • Check assumptions and write hypotheses.  The assumptions will vary depending on the test. In this lesson we'll be confirming that the sampling distribution is approximately normal by visually examining the randomization distribution. In later lessons you'll learn more objective assumptions. The null and alternative hypotheses will always be written in terms of population parameters; the null hypothesis will always contain the equality (i.e., \(=\)).
  • Calculate the test statistic.  Here, we'll be using the formula below for the general form of the test statistic.
  • Determine the p-value.  The p-value is the area under the standard normal distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic in the direction of the alternative hypothesis.
  • Make a decision.  If \(p \leq \alpha\) reject the null hypothesis. If \(p>\alpha\) fail to reject the null hypothesis.
  • State a "real world" conclusion.  Based on your decision in step 4, write a conclusion in terms of the original research question.

General Form of a Test Statistic

When using a standard normal distribution (i.e., z distribution), the test statistic is the standardized value that is the boundary of the p-value. Recall the formula for a z score: \(z=\frac{x-\overline x}{s}\). The formula for a test statistic will be similar. When conducting a hypothesis test the sampling distribution will be centered on the null parameter and the standard deviation is known as the standard error.

This formula puts our observed sample statistic on a standard scale (e.g., z distribution). A z score tells us where a score lies on a normal distribution in standard deviation units. The test statistic tells us where our sample statistic falls on the sampling distribution in standard error units.

7.4.1.1 - Video Example: Mean Body Temperature

Research question:  Is the mean body temperature in the population different from 98.6° Fahrenheit?

7.4.1.2 - Video Example: Correlation Between Printer Price and PPM

Research question:  Is there a positive correlation in the population between the price of an ink jet printer and how many pages per minute (ppm) it prints?

7.4.1.3 - Example: Proportion NFL Coin Toss Wins

Research question:  Is the proportion of NFL overtime coin tosses that are won different from 0.50?

StatKey was used to construct a randomization distribution:

Step 1: Check assumptions and write hypotheses

From the given StatKey output, the randomization distribution is approximately normal.

\(H_0\colon p=0.50\)

\(H_a\colon p \ne 0.50\)

Step 2: Calculate the test statistic

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{sample\;statistic-null\;parameter}{standard\;error}\)

The sample statistic is the proportion in the original sample, 0.561. The null parameter is 0.50. And, the standard error is 0.024.

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{0.561-0.50}{0.024}=\dfrac{0.061}{0.024}=2.542\)

Step 3: Determine the p value

The p value will be the area on the z distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic of 2.542, in the direction of the alternative hypothesis. This is a two-tailed test:

The p value is the area in the left and right tails combined: \(p=0.0055110+0.0055110=0.011022\)

Step 4: Make a decision

The p value (0.011022) is less than the standard 0.05 alpha level, therefore we reject the null hypothesis.

Step 5: State a "real world" conclusion

There is evidence that the proportion of all NFL overtime coin tosses that are won is different from 0.50

7.4.1.4 - Example: Proportion of Women Students

Research question : Are more than 50% of all World Campus STAT 200 students women?

Data were collected from a representative sample of 501 World Campus STAT 200 students. In that sample, 284 students were women and 217 were not women. 

StatKey was used to construct a sampling distribution using randomization methods:

Because this randomization distribution is approximately normal, we can find the p value by computing a standardized test statistic and using the z distribution.

The assumption here is that the sampling distribution is approximately normal. From the given StatKey output, the randomization distribution is approximately normal. 

\(H_0\colon p=0.50\) \(H_a\colon p>0.50\)

2. Calculate the test statistic

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{sample\;statistic-hypothesized\;parameter}{standard\;error}\)

The sample statistic is \(\widehat p = 284/501 = 0.567\).

The hypothesized parameter is the value from the hypotheses: \(p_0=0.50\).

The standard error on the randomization distribution above is 0.022.

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{0.567-0.50}{0.022}=3.045\)

3. Determine the p value

We can find the p value by constructing a standard normal distribution and finding the area under the curve that is more extreme than our observed test statistic of 3.045, in the direction of the alternative hypothesis. In other words, \(P(z>3.045)\):

Our p value is 0.0011634

4. Make a decision

Our p value is less than or equal to the standard 0.05 alpha level, therefore we reject the null hypothesis.

5. State a "real world" conclusion

There is evidence that the proportion of all World Campus STAT 200 students who are women is greater than 0.50.

7.4.1.5 - Example: Mean Quiz Score

Research question:  Is the mean quiz score different from 14 in the population?

\(H_0\colon \mu = 14\)

\(H_a\colon \mu \ne 14\)

The sample statistic is the mean in the original sample, 13.746 points. The null parameter is 14 points. And, the standard error, 0.142, can be found on the StatKey output.

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{13.746-14}{0.142}=\dfrac{-0.254}{0.142}=-1.789\)

The p value will be the area on the z distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic of -1.789, in the direction of the alternative hypothesis:

This was a two-tailed test. The p value is the area in the left and right tails combined: \(p=0.0368074+0.0368074=0.0736148\)

The p value (0.0736148) is greater than the standard 0.05 alpha level, therefore we fail to reject the null hypothesis.

There is not enough evidence to state that the mean quiz score in the population is different from 14 points. 

7.4.1.6 - Example: Difference in Mean Commute Times

Research question:  Do the mean commute times in Atlanta and St. Louis differ in the population? 

 From the given StatKey output, the randomization distribution is approximately normal.

\(H_0: \mu_1-\mu_2=0\)

\(H_a: \mu_1 - \mu_2 \ne 0\)

Step 2: Compute the test statistic

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{sample\;statistic - null \; parameter}{standard \;error}\)

The observed sample statistic is \(\overline x _1 - \overline x _2 = 7.14\). The null parameter is 0. And, the standard error, from the StatKey output, is 1.136.

\(test\;statistic=\dfrac{7.14-0}{1.136}=6.285\)

The p value will be the area on the z distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic of 6.285, in the direction of the alternative hypothesis:

This was a two-tailed test. The area in the two tailed combined is 0.000000. Theoretically, the p value cannot be 0 because there is always some chance that a Type I error was committed. This p value would be written as p < 0.001.

The p value is smaller than the standard 0.05 alpha level, therefore we reject the null hypothesis. 

There is evidence that the mean commute times in Atlanta and St. Louis are different in the population. 

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Hypothesis Testing Formula

Madhuri Thakur

Hypothesis Testing Formula (Table of Contents)

What is the hypothesis testing formula.

Before deep diving into hypothesis testing, we need to understand the hypothesis in the first place. In simple language, an idea is an educated and informed guess about anything around you, which can be tested by experiment or observation.

For example, A new mobile variant will be accepted by people; new medicine might work or not, etc. So a hypothesis test is a statistical tool for testing the hypothesis we will make and whether that statement is full or not. We select a sample from the data set and test a hypothesis statement by determining the likelihood that a sample statistics. So If your results from that test are not significant, it means that the hypothesis is not valid.

Formula For Hypothesis Testing:

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The z-test gives hypothesis testing. The formula for Z – Test is given as follows:

  • X – Sample Mean
  • U – Population Mean
  • SD – Standard Deviation
  • n – Sample size

But this is not as simple as it seems. To correctly perform the hypothesis test, you need to follow specific steps:

Step 1: First and foremost, to perform a hypothesis test, we must define the null and alternative hypotheses. An example of the null and alternate hypothesis is given by:

  • H0 (null hypothesis): Mean value > 0
  • For this, Alternate Hypothesis (Ha): Mean < 0

Step 2:  Next thing we have to do is that we need to find out the level of significance. Generally, its value is 0.05 or 0.01

Step 3:  Find the z-test value, also called test statistic, as stated in the above formula.

Step 4:  Find the z score from the z table given the significance level and mean .

Step 5:  Compare these two values, and if the test statistic is greater than the z score, reject the null hypothesis. You cannot reject the null hypothesis if the test statistic is less than the z score.

Examples of Hypothesis Testing Formula (With Excel Template)

Let’s take an example to understand the calculation of the Hypothesis Testing formula in a better manner.

Hypothesis Testing Formula – Example #1

Suppose you have been given the following parameters, and you have to find the Z value and state if you accept the null hypothesis or not:

Null hypothesis H0: Population Mean = 30

Alternate hypothesis Ha: Population Mean ≠ 30

Hypothesis Testing Formula Example 1-1

Z – Test is calculated using the formula given below

Z = (X – U) / (SD / √n)

Hypothesis Testing Formula Example 1-2

  • Z – Test = ( 27 – 30 ) / (20 / SQRT(10))
  • Z – Test = -0.474

Level of significance = 0.05

This is a Two tail test, so the probability lies on both sides of the distribution. So 0.025 on each side, and we will look at this value on the z table.

Z Score Table 1

Source: https://www.z-table.com/

Since the significance level is 0.025 on each side, we need to find 0.025 in the z table. Once we see that value from the table, we must extract the z value.

If you see here, on the left side, the values of z are given, and in the top row, decimal places are given. So from that, we can say that 0.025 will give a z value of -1.96

So Z – Score = -1.96

We can reject the null hypothesis since the Z Test > Z Score.

Hypothesis Testing Formula – Example #2

Let’s say you are a school principal; you are claiming that the students in your school are above average intelligence. An analyst wants to double-check your claim and use hypothesis testing. He measures the IQ of all the students in the school and then takes a sample of 20 students. The following are the data points:

Example 2-1

  • Z – Test = (112 – 110)/ (15 / SQRT(20))
  • Z – Test = 3.58

Null Hypothesis: Since population mean = 100,

  • H0 : Mean = 100
  • Ha: Mean > 100

Level of Significance = 0.05

Since the significance level is 0.05, we must find 1 – 0.05 = 0.95 in the z table. Once we find that value from the table, we must extract the z value.

Z – Table:

Z Score Table 1

If you see here, on the left side, the values of z are given, and in the top row, decimal places are given. So from that, we can say that 0.95 lies between 1.64 to 1.65, mid-point of 1.645.

So Z Score = 1.645

Since the Z Test > Z Score, we can reject the null hypothesis and say students’ intelligence is above average.

Explanation

Everyone should remember that No hypothesis test is 100% correct, and there is always a chance of making an error. There is 2 type of errors that can arise in hypothesis testing: type I and type II.

Type 1: When the null hypothesis is true but rejected in the model. The level of significance gives the probability of this. So if the significance level is 0.05, there is a 5% chance that you will reject the true null.

Type 2: When the null hypothesis is not true but not rejected in the model. The probability of this is given the power of the test. Large sample size can help reduce the probability of this type of error, providing greater confidence in the model.

Relevance and Uses of Hypothesis Testing Formula

As discussed above, the hypothesis test helps the analyst test the statistical sample and, in the end, will either accept or reject the null hypothesis. The test assists in determining the accuracy of the formed hypothesis. If unexpected results occur, it may necessitate the formulation of a new hypothesis, which can then be tested. There are steps for any hypothesis test. The first step is to state the hypothesis, both the null and alternate hypothesis.

The next step is determining all the relevant parameters like mean, standard deviation , level of significance, etc., which helps determine  the z-test value . The third step determines the z score from the z table, and for this step, we need to see if it is a two-tail or single-tail test and accordingly extract the z score. The fourth and final step is to compare the results and then, based on that, either accept or reject the null hypothesis.

Hypothesis Testing Formula Calculator

You can use the following Hypothesis Testing Calculator

X
U
SD
n
Z
 
Z =
X − U
=
SD/n
0-0
= 0
0/0

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  • Calculator For Consumer Surplus Formula
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What is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics? Types and Examples

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Varun Saharawat is a seasoned professional in the fields of SEO and content writing. With a profound knowledge of the intricate aspects of these disciplines, Varun has established himself as a valuable asset in the world of digital marketing and online content creation.

Hypothesis testing in statistics involves testing an assumption about a population parameter using sample data. Learners can download Hypothesis Testing PDF to get instant access to all information!

Hypothesis Testing

What exactly is hypothesis testing, and how does it work in statistics? Can I find practical examples and understand the different types from this blog?

Hypothesis Testing : Ever wonder how researchers determine if a new medicine actually works or if a new marketing campaign effectively drives sales? They use hypothesis testing! It is at the core of how scientific studies, business experiments and surveys determine if their results are statistically significant or just due to chance.

Hypothesis testing allows us to make evidence-based decisions by quantifying uncertainty and providing a structured process to make data-driven conclusions rather than guessing. In this post, we will discuss hypothesis testing types, examples, and processes!

Table of Contents

Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis testing is a statistical method used to evaluate the validity of a hypothesis using sample data. It involves assessing whether observed data provide enough evidence to reject a specific hypothesis about a population parameter. 

Hypothesis Testing in Data Science

Hypothesis testing in data science is a statistical method used to evaluate two mutually exclusive population statements based on sample data. The primary goal is to determine which statement is more supported by the observed data.

Hypothesis testing assists in supporting the certainty of findings in research and data science projects. This statistical inference aids in making decisions about population parameters using sample data. For those who are looking to deepen their knowledge in data science and expand their skillset, we highly recommend checking out Master Generative AI: Data Science Course by Physics Wallah .

Also Read: What is Encapsulation Explain in Details

What is the Hypothesis Testing Procedure in Data Science?

The hypothesis testing procedure in data science involves a structured approach to evaluating hypotheses using statistical methods. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the typical procedure:

1) State the Hypotheses:

  • Null Hypothesis (H0): This is the default assumption or a statement of no effect or difference. It represents what you aim to test against.
  • Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): This is the opposite of the null hypothesis and represents what you want to prove.

2) Choose a Significance Level (α):

  • Decide on a threshold (commonly 0.05) beyond which you will reject the null hypothesis. This is your significance level.

3) Select the Appropriate Test:

  • Depending on your data type (e.g., continuous, categorical) and the nature of your research question, choose the appropriate statistical test (e.g., t-test, chi-square test, ANOVA, etc.).

4) Collect Data:

  • Gather data from your sample or population, ensuring that it’s representative and sufficiently large (or as per your experimental design).

5)Compute the Test Statistic:

  • Using your data and the chosen statistical test, compute the test statistic that summarizes the evidence against the null hypothesis.

6) Determine the Critical Value or P-value:

  • Based on your significance level and the test statistic’s distribution, determine the critical value from a statistical table or compute the p-value.

7) Make a Decision:

  • If the p-value is less than α: Reject the null hypothesis.
  • If the p-value is greater than or equal to α: Fail to reject the null hypothesis.

8) Draw Conclusions:

  • Based on your decision, draw conclusions about your research question or hypothesis. Remember, failing to reject the null hypothesis doesn’t prove it true; it merely suggests that you don’t have sufficient evidence to reject it.

9) Report Findings:

  • Document your findings, including the test statistic, p-value, conclusion, and any other relevant details. Ensure clarity so that others can understand and potentially replicate your analysis.

Also Read: Binary Search Algorithm

How Hypothesis Testing Works?

Hypothesis testing is a fundamental concept in statistics that aids analysts in making informed decisions based on sample data about a larger population. The process involves setting up two contrasting hypotheses, the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis, and then using statistical methods to determine which hypothesis provides a more plausible explanation for the observed data.

The Core Principles:

  • The Null Hypothesis (H0): This serves as the default assumption or status quo. Typically, it posits that there is no effect or no difference, often represented by an equality statement regarding population parameters. For instance, it might state that a new drug’s effect is no different from a placebo.
  • The Alternative Hypothesis (H1 or Ha): This is the counter assumption or what researchers aim to prove. It’s the opposite of the null hypothesis, indicating that there is an effect, a change, or a difference in the population parameters. Using the drug example, the alternative hypothesis would suggest that the new drug has a different effect than the placebo.

Testing the Hypotheses:

Once these hypotheses are established, analysts gather data from a sample and conduct statistical tests. The objective is to determine whether the observed results are statistically significant enough to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative.

Examples to Clarify the Concept:

  • Null Hypothesis (H0): The sanitizer’s average efficacy is 95%.
  • By conducting tests, if evidence suggests that the sanitizer’s efficacy is significantly less than 95%, we reject the null hypothesis.
  • Null Hypothesis (H0): The coin is fair, meaning the probability of heads and tails is equal.
  • Through experimental trials, if results consistently show a skewed outcome, indicating a significantly different probability for heads and tails, the null hypothesis might be rejected.

What are the 3 types of Hypothesis Test?

Hypothesis testing is a cornerstone in statistical analysis, providing a framework to evaluate the validity of assumptions or claims made about a population based on sample data. Within this framework, several specific tests are utilized based on the nature of the data and the question at hand. Here’s a closer look at the three fundamental types of hypothesis tests:

The z-test is a statistical method primarily employed when comparing means from two datasets, particularly when the population standard deviation is known. Its main objective is to ascertain if the means are statistically equivalent. 

A crucial prerequisite for the z-test is that the sample size should be relatively large, typically 30 data points or more. This test aids researchers and analysts in determining the significance of a relationship or discovery, especially in scenarios where the data’s characteristics align with the assumptions of the z-test.

The t-test is a versatile statistical tool used extensively in research and various fields to compare means between two groups. It’s particularly valuable when the population standard deviation is unknown or when dealing with smaller sample sizes. 

By evaluating the means of two groups, the t-test helps ascertain if a particular treatment, intervention, or variable significantly impacts the population under study. Its flexibility and robustness make it a go-to method in scenarios ranging from medical research to business analytics.

3. Chi-Square Test:

The Chi-Square test stands distinct from the previous tests, primarily focusing on categorical data rather than means. This statistical test is instrumental when analyzing categorical variables to determine if observed data aligns with expected outcomes as posited by the null hypothesis. 

By assessing the differences between observed and expected frequencies within categorical data, the Chi-Square test offers insights into whether discrepancies are statistically significant. Whether used in social sciences to evaluate survey responses or in quality control to assess product defects, the Chi-Square test remains pivotal for hypothesis testing in diverse scenarios.

Also Read: Python vs Java: Which is Best for Machine learning algorithm

Hypothesis Testing in Statistics

Hypothesis testing is a fundamental concept in statistics used to make decisions or inferences about a population based on a sample of data. The process involves setting up two competing hypotheses, the null hypothesis H 0​ and the alternative hypothesis H 1​. 

Through various statistical tests, such as the t-test, z-test, or Chi-square test, analysts evaluate sample data to determine whether there’s enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative. The aim is to draw conclusions about population parameters or to test theories, claims, or hypotheses.

Hypothesis Testing in Research

In research, hypothesis testing serves as a structured approach to validate or refute theories or claims. Researchers formulate a clear hypothesis based on existing literature or preliminary observations. They then collect data through experiments, surveys, or observational studies. 

Using statistical methods, researchers analyze this data to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis. By doing so, they can draw meaningful conclusions, make predictions, or recommend actions based on empirical evidence rather than mere speculation.

Hypothesis Testing in R

R, a powerful programming language and environment for statistical computing and graphics, offers a wide array of functions and packages specifically designed for hypothesis testing. Here’s how hypothesis testing is conducted in R:

  • Data Collection : Before conducting any test, you need to gather your data and ensure it’s appropriately structured in R.
  • Choose the Right Test : Depending on your research question and data type, select the appropriate hypothesis test. For instance, use the t.test() function for a t-test or chisq.test() for a Chi-square test.
  • Set Hypotheses : Define your null and alternative hypotheses. Using R’s syntax, you can specify these hypotheses and run the corresponding test.
  • Execute the Test : Utilize built-in functions in R to perform the hypothesis test on your data. For instance, if you want to compare two means, you can use the t.test() function, providing the necessary arguments like the data vectors and type of t-test (one-sample, two-sample, paired, etc.).
  • Interpret Results : Once the test is executed, R will provide output, including test statistics, p-values, and confidence intervals. Based on these results and a predetermined significance level (often 0.05), you can decide whether to reject the null hypothesis.
  • Visualization : R’s graphical capabilities allow users to visualize data distributions, confidence intervals, or test statistics, aiding in the interpretation and presentation of results.

Hypothesis testing is an integral part of statistics and research, offering a systematic approach to validate hypotheses. Leveraging R’s capabilities, researchers and analysts can efficiently conduct and interpret various hypothesis tests, ensuring robust and reliable conclusions from their data.

Do Data Scientists do Hypothesis Testing?

Yes, data scientists frequently engage in hypothesis testing as part of their analytical toolkit. Hypothesis testing is a foundational statistical technique used to make data-driven decisions, validate assumptions, and draw conclusions from data. Here’s how data scientists utilize hypothesis testing:

  • Validating Assumptions : Before diving into complex analyses or building predictive models, data scientists often need to verify certain assumptions about the data. Hypothesis testing provides a structured approach to test these assumptions, ensuring that subsequent analyses or models are valid.
  • Feature Selection : In machine learning and predictive modeling, data scientists use hypothesis tests to determine which features (or variables) are most relevant or significant in predicting a particular outcome. By testing hypotheses related to feature importance or correlation, they can streamline the modeling process and enhance prediction accuracy.
  • A/B Testing : A/B testing is a common technique in marketing, product development, and user experience design. Data scientists employ hypothesis testing to compare two versions (A and B) of a product, feature, or marketing strategy to determine which performs better in terms of a specified metric (e.g., conversion rate, user engagement).
  • Research and Exploration : In exploratory data analysis (EDA) or when investigating specific research questions, data scientists formulate hypotheses to test certain relationships or patterns within the data. By conducting hypothesis tests, they can validate these relationships, uncover insights, and drive data-driven decision-making.
  • Model Evaluation : After building machine learning or statistical models, data scientists use hypothesis testing to evaluate the model’s performance, assess its predictive power, or compare different models. For instance, hypothesis tests like the t-test or F-test can help determine if a new model significantly outperforms an existing one based on certain metrics.
  • Business Decision-making : Beyond technical analyses, data scientists employ hypothesis testing to support business decisions. Whether it’s evaluating the effectiveness of a marketing campaign, assessing customer preferences, or optimizing operational processes, hypothesis testing provides a rigorous framework to validate assumptions and guide strategic initiatives.

Hypothesis Testing Examples and Solutions

Let’s delve into some common examples of hypothesis testing and provide solutions or interpretations for each scenario.

Example: Testing the Mean

Scenario : A coffee shop owner believes that the average waiting time for customers during peak hours is 5 minutes. To test this, the owner takes a random sample of 30 customer waiting times and wants to determine if the average waiting time is indeed 5 minutes.

Hypotheses :

  • H 0​ (Null Hypothesis): 5 μ =5 minutes (The average waiting time is 5 minutes)
  • H 1​ (Alternative Hypothesis): 5 μ =5 minutes (The average waiting time is not 5 minutes)

Solution : Using a t-test (assuming population variance is unknown), calculate the t-statistic based on the sample mean, sample standard deviation, and sample size. Then, determine the p-value and compare it with a significance level (e.g., 0.05) to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis.

Example: A/B Testing in Marketing

Scenario : An e-commerce company wants to determine if changing the color of a “Buy Now” button from blue to green increases the conversion rate.

  • H 0​: Changing the button color does not affect the conversion rate.
  • H 1​: Changing the button color affects the conversion rate.

Solution : Split website visitors into two groups: one sees the blue button (control group), and the other sees the green button (test group). Track the conversion rates for both groups over a specified period. Then, use a chi-square test or z-test (for large sample sizes) to determine if there’s a statistically significant difference in conversion rates between the two groups.

Hypothesis Testing Formula

The formula for hypothesis testing typically depends on the type of test (e.g., z-test, t-test, chi-square test) and the nature of the data (e.g., mean, proportion, variance). Below are the basic formulas for some common hypothesis tests:

Z-Test for Population Mean :

Z=(σ/n​)(xˉ−μ0​)​

  • ˉ x ˉ = Sample mean
  • 0 μ 0​ = Population mean under the null hypothesis
  • σ = Population standard deviation
  • n = Sample size

T-Test for Population Mean :

t= (s/ n ​ ) ( x ˉ −μ 0 ​ ) ​ 

s = Sample standard deviation 

Chi-Square Test for Goodness of Fit :

χ2=∑Ei​(Oi​−Ei​)2​

  • Oi ​ = Observed frequency
  • Ei ​ = Expected frequency

Also Read: Full Form of OOPS

Hypothesis Testing Calculator

While you can perform hypothesis testing manually using the above formulas and statistical tables, many online tools and software packages simplify this process. Here’s how you might use a calculator or software:

  • Z-Test and T-Test Calculators : These tools typically require you to input sample statistics (like sample mean, population mean, standard deviation, and sample size). Once you input these values, the calculator will provide you with the test statistic (Z or t) and a p-value.
  • Chi-Square Calculator : For chi-square tests, you’d input observed and expected frequencies for different categories or groups. The calculator then computes the chi-square statistic and provides a p-value.
  • Software Packages (e.g., R, Python with libraries like scipy, or statistical software like SPSS) : These platforms offer more comprehensive tools for hypothesis testing. You can run various tests, get detailed outputs, and even perform advanced analyses, including regression models, ANOVA, and more.

When using any calculator or software, always ensure you understand the underlying assumptions of the test, interpret the results correctly, and consider the broader context of your research or analysis.

Hypothesis Testing FAQs

What are the key components of a hypothesis test.

The key components include: Null Hypothesis (H0): A statement of no effect or no difference. Alternative Hypothesis (H1 or Ha): A statement that contradicts the null hypothesis. Test Statistic: A value computed from the sample data to test the null hypothesis. Significance Level (α): The threshold for rejecting the null hypothesis. P-value: The probability of observing the given data, assuming the null hypothesis is true.

What is the significance level in hypothesis testing?

The significance level (often denoted as α) is the probability threshold used to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis. Commonly used values for α include 0.05, 0.01, and 0.10, representing a 5%, 1%, or 10% chance of rejecting the null hypothesis when it's actually true.

How do I choose between a one-tailed and two-tailed test?

The choice between one-tailed and two-tailed tests depends on your research question and hypothesis. Use a one-tailed test when you're specifically interested in one direction of an effect (e.g., greater than or less than). Use a two-tailed test when you want to determine if there's a significant difference in either direction.

What is a p-value, and how is it interpreted?

The p-value is a probability value that helps determine the strength of evidence against the null hypothesis. A low p-value (typically ≤ 0.05) suggests that the observed data is inconsistent with the null hypothesis, leading to its rejection. Conversely, a high p-value suggests that the data is consistent with the null hypothesis, leading to no rejection.

Can hypothesis testing prove a hypothesis true?

No, hypothesis testing cannot prove a hypothesis true. Instead, it helps assess the likelihood of observing a given set of data under the assumption that the null hypothesis is true. Based on this assessment, you either reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis.

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Hypothesis Testing Formula

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We run a hypothesis test that helps statisticians determine if the evidence are enough in a sample data to conclude that a research condition is true or false for the entire population. For finding out hypothesis of a given sample, we conduct a Z-test. Usually, in Hypothesis testing, we compare two sets by comparing against a synthetic data set and idealized model.

The Z test formula is given as:

Where, \(\begin{array}{l}\overline{x}\end{array} \) is the sample mean \(\begin{array}{l}\mu\end{array} \) is the population mean \(\begin{array}{l}\sigma\end{array} \) is the standard deviation and n is the sample size.

Solved Examples

Question: What will be the z value when the given parameters are sample mean = 600, population mean = 585, the standard deviation is 100 and the sample size is 150?

Given parameters are, Sample mean, \(\begin{array}{l}\bar{x}\end{array} \) = 600 Population mean, \(\begin{array}{l}\mu\end{array} \) = 585 , Standard deviation, \(\begin{array}{l}\sigma\end{array} \) = 100 Sample size, n = 150

The formula for hypothesis testing is given as,

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Finding the Power of a Hypothesis Test

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The probability of correctly rejecting H 0 when it is false is known as the power of the test . The larger it is, the better.

The previously claimed value of

image0.png

in the null hypothesis,

image1.png

The one-sided inequality of the alternative hypothesis (either < or >), for example,

image2.png

The mean of the observed values

image3.png

The population standard deviation

image4.png

The sample size (denoted n )

The level of significance

image5.png

Assume that H 0 is true, and

image6.png

Find the percentile value corresponding to

image7.png

sitting in the tail(s) corresponding to H a . That is, if

image8.png

then find b where

image9.png

Assume that H 0 is false, and instead H a is true. Since

image12.png

under this assumption, then let

image13.png

in the next step.

Find the power by calculating the probability of getting a value more extreme than b from Step 2 in the direction of H a . This process is similar to finding the p -value in a test of a single population mean, but instead of using

image14.png

You conduct a random sample of 100 working mothers and find they spend an average of 11.5 minutes per day talking with their children. Assume prior research suggests the population standard deviation is 2.3 minutes.

When conducting this hypothesis test for a population mean, you find that the p -value = 0.015, and with a level of significance of

image18.png

you reject the null hypothesis. But there are a lot of different values of

image19.png

(not just 11.5) that would lead you to reject H 0 . So how strong is this specific test? Find the power.

image20.png

sitting in the upper tail. If p ( Z > z b ) = 0.05, then z b = 1.645. Further,

image22.png

Assume that H 0 is false, and instead

image23.png

Find the power by calculating the probability of getting a value more extreme than b from Step 2 in the direction of H a . Here, you need to find p ( Z > z) where

image24.png

Using the Z -table, you find that

image25.png

of 0.05. Further, you found that Power = 0.6985, meaning that there was nearly a 70 percent chance of correctly rejecting a false null hypothesis.

image27.jpg

This is just one power calculation based on a single sample generating a mean of 11.5. Statisticians often calculate a “power curve” based on many likely alternative values. Also, there are some unique considerations to take into account if

image28.png

but this gives you the gist of things.

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Statistics Made Easy

Two Sample t-test: Definition, Formula, and Example

A two sample t-test is used to determine whether or not two population means are equal.

This tutorial explains the following:

  • The motivation for performing a two sample t-test.
  • The formula to perform a two sample t-test.
  • The assumptions that should be met to perform a two sample t-test.
  • An example of how to perform a two sample t-test.

Two Sample t-test: Motivation

Suppose we want to know whether or not the mean weight between two different species of turtles is equal. Since there are thousands of turtles in each population, it would be too time-consuming and costly to go around and weigh each individual turtle.

Instead, we might take a simple random sample of 15 turtles from each population and use the mean weight in each sample to determine if the mean weight is equal between the two populations:

Two sample t-test example

However, it’s virtually guaranteed that the mean weight between the two samples will be at least a little different. The question is whether or not this difference is statistically significant . Fortunately, a two sample t-test allows us to answer this question.

Two Sample t-test: Formula

A two-sample t-test always uses the following null hypothesis:

  • H 0 : μ 1  = μ 2 (the two population means are equal)

The alternative hypothesis can be either two-tailed, left-tailed, or right-tailed:

  • H 1 (two-tailed): μ 1  ≠ μ 2 (the two population means are not equal)
  • H 1 (left-tailed): μ 1  < μ 2  (population 1 mean is less than population 2 mean)
  • H 1 (right-tailed):  μ 1 > μ 2  (population 1 mean is greater than population 2 mean)

We use the following formula to calculate the test statistic t:

Test statistic:  ( x 1  –  x 2 )  /  s p (√ 1/n 1  + 1/n 2 )

where  x 1  and  x 2 are the sample means, n 1 and n 2  are the sample sizes, and where s p is calculated as:

s p = √  (n 1 -1)s 1 2  +  (n 2 -1)s 2 2  /  (n 1 +n 2 -2)

where s 1 2  and s 2 2  are the sample variances.

If the p-value that corresponds to the test statistic t with (n 1 +n 2 -1) degrees of freedom is less than your chosen significance level (common choices are 0.10, 0.05, and 0.01) then you can reject the null hypothesis.

Two Sample t-test: Assumptions

For the results of a two sample t-test to be valid, the following assumptions should be met:

  • The observations in one sample should be independent of the observations in the other sample.
  • The data should be approximately normally distributed.
  • The two samples should have approximately the same variance. If this assumption is not met, you should instead perform Welch’s t-test .
  • The data in both samples was obtained using a random sampling method .

Two Sample t-test : Example

Suppose we want to know whether or not the mean weight between two different species of turtles is equal. To test this, will perform a two sample t-test at significance level α = 0.05 using the following steps:

Step 1: Gather the sample data.

Suppose we collect a random sample of turtles from each population with the following information:

  • Sample size n 1 = 40
  • Sample mean weight  x 1  = 300
  • Sample standard deviation s 1 = 18.5
  • Sample size n 2 = 38
  • Sample mean weight  x 2  = 305
  • Sample standard deviation s 2 = 16.7

Step 2: Define the hypotheses.

We will perform the two sample t-test with the following hypotheses:

  • H 0 :  μ 1  = μ 2 (the two population means are equal)
  • H 1 :  μ 1  ≠ μ 2 (the two population means are not equal)

Step 3: Calculate the test statistic  t .

First, we will calculate the pooled standard deviation s p :

s p = √  (n 1 -1)s 1 2  +  (n 2 -1)s 2 2  /  (n 1 +n 2 -2)  = √  (40-1)18.5 2  +  (38-1)16.7 2  /  (40+38-2)  = 17.647

Next, we will calculate the test statistic  t :

t = ( x 1  –  x 2 )  /  s p (√ 1/n 1  + 1/n 2 ) =  (300-305) / 17.647(√ 1/40 + 1/38 ) =  -1.2508

Step 4: Calculate the p-value of the test statistic  t .

According to the T Score to P Value Calculator , the p-value associated with t = -1.2508 and degrees of freedom = n 1 +n 2 -2 = 40+38-2 = 76 is  0.21484 .

Step 5: Draw a conclusion.

Since this p-value is not less than our significance level α = 0.05, we fail to reject the null hypothesis. We do not have sufficient evidence to say that the mean weight of turtles between these two populations is different.

Note:  You can also perform this entire two sample t-test by simply using the Two Sample t-test Calculator .

Additional Resources

The following tutorials explain how to perform a two-sample t-test using different statistical programs:

How to Perform a Two Sample t-test in Excel How to Perform a Two Sample t-test in SPSS How to Perform a Two Sample t-test in Stata How to Perform a Two Sample t-test in R How to Perform a Two Sample t-test in Python How to Perform a Two Sample t-test on a TI-84 Calculator

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formula of test a hypothesis

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2 Replies to “Two Sample t-test: Definition, Formula, and Example”

I like the detailed information and simplified in the way I can understand and relate easily. Thank you

It seems a couple of parenthesis is missed at the pooled standard deviation formula. Under square root you have (n1-1)s12 + (n2-1)s22 / (n1+n2-2) but it should be [(n1-1)s12 + (n2-1)s22] / (n1+n2-2) I used square bracket

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Mathematics > Statistics Theory

Title: second maximum of a gaussian random field and exact (t-)spacing test.

Abstract: In this article, we introduce the novel concept of the second maximum of a Gaussian random field on a Riemannian submanifold. This second maximum serves as a powerful tool for characterizing the distribution of the maximum. By utilizing an ad-hoc Kac Rice formula, we derive the explicit form of the maximum's distribution, conditioned on the second maximum and some regressed component of the Riemannian Hessian. This approach results in an exact test, based on the evaluation of spacing between these maxima, which we refer to as the spacing test. We investigate the applicability of this test in detecting sparse alternatives within Gaussian symmetric tensors, continuous sparse deconvolution, and two-layered neural networks with smooth rectifiers. Our theoretical results are supported by numerical experiments, which illustrate the calibration and power of the proposed tests. More generally, this test can be applied to any Gaussian random field on a Riemannian manifold, and we provide a general framework for the application of the spacing test in continuous sparse kernel regression. Furthermore, when the variance-covariance function of the Gaussian random field is known up to a scaling factor, we derive an exact Studentized version of our test, coined the $t$-spacing test. This test is perfectly calibrated under the null hypothesis and has high power for detecting sparse alternatives.
Comments: 5 figures, 22 pages main document, 2 pages supplements
Subjects: Statistics Theory (math.ST); Machine Learning (cs.LG); Differential Geometry (math.DG); Probability (math.PR); Machine Learning (stat.ML)
classes: Primary 62E15, 62F03, 60G15, 62H10, 62H15, secondary 60E05, 60G10, 62J05, 94A08
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COMMENTS

  1. Hypothesis Testing

    Table of contents. Step 1: State your null and alternate hypothesis. Step 2: Collect data. Step 3: Perform a statistical test. Step 4: Decide whether to reject or fail to reject your null hypothesis. Step 5: Present your findings. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about hypothesis testing.

  2. Hypothesis Testing

    Hypothesis testing is a technique that is used to verify whether the results of an experiment are statistically significant. It involves the setting up of a null hypothesis and an alternate hypothesis. There are three types of tests that can be conducted under hypothesis testing - z test, t test, and chi square test.

  3. Test Statistic: Definition, Types & Formulas

    A test statistic assesses how consistent your sample data are with the null hypothesis in a hypothesis test. Test statistic calculations take your sample data and boil them down to a single number that quantifies how much your sample diverges from the null hypothesis. As a test statistic value becomes more extreme, it indicates larger ...

  4. 6a.2

    Below these are summarized into six such steps to conducting a test of a hypothesis. Set up the hypotheses and check conditions: Each hypothesis test includes two hypotheses about the population. One is the null hypothesis, notated as H 0, which is a statement of a particular parameter value. This hypothesis is assumed to be true until there is ...

  5. 7.4.1

    Here, we'll be using the formula below for the general form of the test statistic. Determine the p-value. The p-value is the area under the standard normal distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic in the direction of the alternative hypothesis. Make a decision. If \(p \leq \alpha\) reject the null hypothesis.

  6. 9.1: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

    In hypothesis testing, the goal is to see if there is sufficient statistical evidence to reject a presumed null hypothesis in favor of a conjectured alternative hypothesis.The null hypothesis is usually denoted \(H_0\) while the alternative hypothesis is usually denoted \(H_1\). An hypothesis test is a statistical decision; the conclusion will either be to reject the null hypothesis in favor ...

  7. 7.1: Basics of Hypothesis Testing

    Test Statistic: z = x¯¯¯ −μo σ/ n−−√ z = x ¯ − μ o σ / n since it is calculated as part of the testing of the hypothesis. Definition 7.1.4 7.1. 4. p - value: probability that the test statistic will take on more extreme values than the observed test statistic, given that the null hypothesis is true.

  8. Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

    A hypothesis test consists of five steps: 1. State the hypotheses. State the null and alternative hypotheses. These two hypotheses need to be mutually exclusive, so if one is true then the other must be false. 2. Determine a significance level to use for the hypothesis. Decide on a significance level.

  9. Test statistics

    The test statistic is a number calculated from a statistical test of a hypothesis. It shows how closely your observed data match the distribution expected under the null hypothesis of that statistical test. The test statistic is used to calculate the p value of your results, helping to decide whether to reject your null hypothesis.

  10. Significance tests (hypothesis testing)

    Unit 12: Significance tests (hypothesis testing) Significance tests give us a formal process for using sample data to evaluate the likelihood of some claim about a population value. Learn how to conduct significance tests and calculate p-values to see how likely a sample result is to occur by random chance. You'll also see how we use p-values ...

  11. What is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics? Types and Examples

    Hypothesis Testing Formula. Z = ( x̅ - μ0 ) / (σ /√n) Here, x̅ is the sample mean, μ0 is the population mean, σ is the standard deviation, n is the sample size. How Hypothesis Testing Works? An analyst performs hypothesis testing on a statistical sample to present evidence of the plausibility of the null hypothesis.

  12. Statistical hypothesis test

    A statistical hypothesis test is a method of statistical inference used to decide whether the data sufficiently support a particular hypothesis. A statistical hypothesis test typically involves a calculation of a test statistic. Then a decision is made, either by comparing the test statistic to a critical value or equivalently by evaluating a p ...

  13. T-test and Hypothesis Testing (Explained Simply)

    These problems with intuition can lead to problems with decision-making while testing hypotheses. So, besides knowing what values to paste into the formula and how to use t-tests, it is necessary to know when to use it, why to use it, and the meaning of all that stuff. This article is intended to explain two concepts: t-test and hypothesis testing.

  14. Hypothesis Testing Calculator with Steps

    Hypothesis Testing Calculator. The first step in hypothesis testing is to calculate the test statistic. The formula for the test statistic depends on whether the population standard deviation (σ) is known or unknown. If σ is known, our hypothesis test is known as a z test and we use the z distribution. If σ is unknown, our hypothesis test is ...

  15. Z Test: Uses, Formula & Examples

    Related posts: Null Hypothesis: Definition, Rejecting & Examples and Understanding Significance Levels. Two-Sample Z Test Hypotheses. Null hypothesis (H 0): Two population means are equal (µ 1 = µ 2).; Alternative hypothesis (H A): Two population means are not equal (µ 1 ≠ µ 2).; Again, when the p-value is less than or equal to your significance level, reject the null hypothesis.

  16. 5.2

    5.2 - Writing Hypotheses. The first step in conducting a hypothesis test is to write the hypothesis statements that are going to be tested. For each test you will have a null hypothesis ( H 0) and an alternative hypothesis ( H a ). When writing hypotheses there are three things that we need to know: (1) the parameter that we are testing (2) the ...

  17. 7.4.1

    Here, we'll be using the formula below for the general form of the test statistic. Determine the p-value. The p-value is the area under the standard normal distribution that is more extreme than the test statistic in the direction of the alternative hypothesis. Make a decision. If \(p \leq \alpha\) reject the null hypothesis.

  18. Hypothesis Testing Formula

    H0 (null hypothesis): Mean value > 0; For this, Alternate Hypothesis (Ha): Mean < 0; Step 2: Next thing we have to do is that we need to find out the level of significance.Generally, its value is 0.05 or 0.01. Step 3: Find the z-test value, also called test statistic, as stated in the above formula. Step 4: Find the z score from the z table given the significance level and mean.

  19. What is Hypothesis Testing in Statistics? Types and Examples

    Hypothesis Testing Formula. The formula for hypothesis testing typically depends on the type of test (e.g., z-test, t-test, chi-square test) and the nature of the data (e.g., mean, proportion, variance). Below are the basic formulas for some common hypothesis tests: Z-Test for Population Mean: Z=(σ/n )(xˉ−μ0 ) Where: ˉ x ˉ = Sample mean

  20. PDF Harold's Statistics Hypothesis Testing Cheat Sheet

    Hypothesis A premise or claim that we want to test. Null Hypothesis: H 0 Currently accepted value for a parameter (middle of the distribution). Is assumed true for the purpose of carrying out the hypothesis test. • Always contains an "=" {=, , } • The null value implies a specific sampling distribution for the test statistic • H 0

  21. 10.10: Formula Review

    10.4 Test for Differences in Means: Assuming Equal Population Variances \[t_c=\frac{\left(\bar{x}_1-\bar{x}_2\right)-\delta_0}{\sqrt{S_p^2\left(\frac{1}{n_1}+\frac{1 ...

  22. Hypothesis testing formula Hypothesis testing example

    Hypothesis Testing Formula. We run a hypothesis test that helps statisticians determine if the evidence are enough in a sample data to conclude that a research condition is true or false for the entire population. For finding out hypothesis of a given sample, we conduct a Z-test. Usually, in Hypothesis testing, we compare two sets by comparing ...

  23. Finding the Power of a Hypothesis Test

    To calculate power, you basically work two problems back-to-back. First, find a percentile assuming that H 0 is true. Then, turn it around and find the probability that you'd get that value assuming H 0 is false (and instead H a is true). Assume that H 0 is true, and. Find the percentile value corresponding to.

  24. Two Sample t-test: Definition, Formula, and Example

    If the p-value that corresponds to the test statistic t with (n 1 +n 2-1) degrees of freedom is less than your chosen significance level (common choices are 0.10, 0.05, and 0.01) then you can reject the null hypothesis. Two Sample t-test: Assumptions. For the results of a two sample t-test to be valid, the following assumptions should be met:

  25. Second Maximum of a Gaussian Random Field and Exact (t-)Spacing test

    By utilizing an ad-hoc Kac Rice formula, we derive the explicit form of the maximum's distribution, conditioned on the second maximum and some regressed component of the Riemannian Hessian. ... This test is perfectly calibrated under the null hypothesis and has high power for detecting sparse alternatives. Comments: 5 figures, 22 pages main ...