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

Hypothesis Testing | A Step-by-Step Guide with Easy Examples

Published on November 8, 2019 by Rebecca Bevans . Revised on June 22, 2023.

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics . It is most often used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses, that arise from theories.

There are 5 main steps in hypothesis testing:

  • State your research hypothesis as a null hypothesis and alternate hypothesis (H o ) and (H a  or H 1 ).
  • Collect data in a way designed to test the hypothesis.
  • Perform an appropriate statistical test .
  • Decide whether to reject or fail to reject your null hypothesis.
  • Present the findings in your results and discussion section.

Though the specific details might vary, the procedure you will use when testing a hypothesis will always follow some version of these steps.

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.

After developing your initial research hypothesis (the prediction that you want to investigate), it is important to restate it as a null (H o ) and alternate (H a ) hypothesis so that you can test it mathematically.

The alternate hypothesis is usually your initial hypothesis that predicts a relationship between variables. The null hypothesis is a prediction of no relationship between the variables you are interested in.

  • H 0 : Men are, on average, not taller than women. H a : Men are, on average, taller than women.

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what is formula for hypothesis

For a statistical test to be valid , it is important to perform sampling and collect data in a way that is designed to test your hypothesis. If your data are not representative, then you cannot make statistical inferences about the population you are interested in.

There are a variety of statistical tests available, but they are all based on the comparison of within-group variance (how spread out the data is within a category) versus between-group variance (how different the categories are from one another).

If the between-group variance is large enough that there is little or no overlap between groups, then your statistical test will reflect that by showing a low p -value . This means it is unlikely that the differences between these groups came about by chance.

Alternatively, if there is high within-group variance and low between-group variance, then your statistical test will reflect that with a high p -value. This means it is likely that any difference you measure between groups is due to chance.

Your choice of statistical test will be based on the type of variables and the level of measurement of your collected data .

  • an estimate of the difference in average height between the two groups.
  • a p -value showing how likely you are to see this difference if the null hypothesis of no difference is true.

Based on the outcome of your statistical test, you will have to decide whether to reject or fail to reject your null hypothesis.

In most cases you will use the p -value generated by your statistical test to guide your decision. And in most cases, your predetermined level of significance for rejecting the null hypothesis will be 0.05 – that is, when there is a less than 5% chance that you would see these results if the null hypothesis were true.

In some cases, researchers choose a more conservative level of significance, such as 0.01 (1%). This minimizes the risk of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis ( Type I error ).

The results of hypothesis testing will be presented in the results and discussion sections of your research paper , dissertation or thesis .

In the results section you should give a brief summary of the data and a summary of the results of your statistical test (for example, the estimated difference between group means and associated p -value). In the discussion , you can discuss whether your initial hypothesis was supported by your results or not.

In the formal language of hypothesis testing, we talk about rejecting or failing to reject the null hypothesis. You will probably be asked to do this in your statistics assignments.

However, when presenting research results in academic papers we rarely talk this way. Instead, we go back to our alternate hypothesis (in this case, the hypothesis that men are on average taller than women) and state whether the result of our test did or did not support the alternate hypothesis.

If your null hypothesis was rejected, this result is interpreted as “supported the alternate hypothesis.”

These are superficial differences; you can see that they mean the same thing.

You might notice that we don’t say that we reject or fail to reject the alternate hypothesis . This is because hypothesis testing is not designed to prove or disprove anything. It is only designed to test whether a pattern we measure could have arisen spuriously, or by chance.

If we reject the null hypothesis based on our research (i.e., we find that it is unlikely that the pattern arose by chance), then we can say our test lends support to our hypothesis . But if the pattern does not pass our decision rule, meaning that it could have arisen by chance, then we say the test is inconsistent with our hypothesis .

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.

  • Normal distribution
  • 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

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses , by calculating how likely it is that a pattern or relationship between variables could have arisen by chance.

A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question.

A hypothesis is not just a guess — it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations and statistical analysis of data).

Null and alternative hypotheses are used in statistical hypothesis testing . The null hypothesis of a test always predicts no effect or no relationship between variables, while the alternative hypothesis states your research prediction of an effect or relationship.

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  • Methodology
  • How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Guide & Examples

How to Write a Strong Hypothesis | Guide & Examples

Published on 6 May 2022 by Shona McCombes .

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection.

Table of contents

What is a hypothesis, developing a hypothesis (with example), hypothesis examples, frequently asked questions about writing hypotheses.

A hypothesis states your predictions about what your research will find. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested. For some research projects, you might have to write several hypotheses that address different aspects of your research question.

A hypothesis is not just a guess – it should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations, and statistical analysis of data).

Variables in hypotheses

Hypotheses propose a relationship between two or more variables . An independent variable is something the researcher changes or controls. A dependent variable is something the researcher observes and measures.

In this example, the independent variable is exposure to the sun – the assumed cause . The dependent variable is the level of happiness – the assumed effect .

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Step 1: ask a question.

Writing a hypothesis begins with a research question that you want to answer. The question should be focused, specific, and researchable within the constraints of your project.

Step 2: Do some preliminary research

Your initial answer to the question should be based on what is already known about the topic. Look for theories and previous studies to help you form educated assumptions about what your research will find.

At this stage, you might construct a conceptual framework to identify which variables you will study and what you think the relationships are between them. Sometimes, you’ll have to operationalise more complex constructs.

Step 3: Formulate your hypothesis

Now you should have some idea of what you expect to find. Write your initial answer to the question in a clear, concise sentence.

Step 4: Refine your hypothesis

You need to make sure your hypothesis is specific and testable. There are various ways of phrasing a hypothesis, but all the terms you use should have clear definitions, and the hypothesis should contain:

  • The relevant variables
  • The specific group being studied
  • The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis

Step 5: Phrase your hypothesis in three ways

To identify the variables, you can write a simple prediction in if … then form. The first part of the sentence states the independent variable and the second part states the dependent variable.

In academic research, hypotheses are more commonly phrased in terms of correlations or effects, where you directly state the predicted relationship between variables.

If you are comparing two groups, the hypothesis can state what difference you expect to find between them.

Step 6. Write a null hypothesis

If your research involves statistical hypothesis testing , you will also have to write a null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is the default position that there is no association between the variables. The null hypothesis is written as H 0 , while the alternative hypothesis is H 1 or H a .

Research question Hypothesis Null hypothesis
What are the health benefits of eating an apple a day? Increasing apple consumption in over-60s will result in decreasing frequency of doctor’s visits. Increasing apple consumption in over-60s will have no effect on frequency of doctor’s visits.
Which airlines have the most delays? Low-cost airlines are more likely to have delays than premium airlines. Low-cost and premium airlines are equally likely to have delays.
Can flexible work arrangements improve job satisfaction? Employees who have flexible working hours will report greater job satisfaction than employees who work fixed hours. There is no relationship between working hour flexibility and job satisfaction.
How effective is secondary school sex education at reducing teen pregnancies? Teenagers who received sex education lessons throughout secondary school will have lower rates of unplanned pregnancy than teenagers who did not receive any sex education. Secondary school sex education has no effect on teen pregnancy rates.
What effect does daily use of social media have on the attention span of under-16s? There is a negative correlation between time spent on social media and attention span in under-16s. There is no relationship between social media use and attention span in under-16s.

Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses , by calculating how likely it is that a pattern or relationship between variables could have arisen by chance.

A hypothesis is not just a guess. It should be based on existing theories and knowledge. It also has to be testable, which means you can support or refute it through scientific research methods (such as experiments, observations, and statistical analysis of data).

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (‘ x affects y because …’).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses. In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

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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

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to Hypothesis Testing Formula. Here we discuss how to calculate Hypothesis Testing along with practical examples. We also provide a Hypothesis Testing calculator with a downloadable exceExcelplate. You may also look at the following articles to learn more –

  • Examples of T Distribution Formula
  • Calculator For Consumer Surplus Formula
  • How To Calculate Equity Multiplier Formula
  • Guide To Net Realizable Value Formula
  • Altman Z Score (With Excel Template)

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  • Scientific Methods

What is Hypothesis?

We have heard of many hypotheses which have led to great inventions in science. Assumptions that are made on the basis of some evidence are known as hypotheses. In this article, let us learn in detail about the hypothesis and the type of hypothesis with examples.

what is formula for hypothesis

A hypothesis is an assumption that is made based on some evidence. This is the initial point of any investigation that translates the research questions into predictions. It includes components like variables, population and the relation between the variables. A research hypothesis is a hypothesis that is used to test the relationship between two or more variables.

Characteristics of Hypothesis

Following are the characteristics of the hypothesis:

  • The hypothesis should be clear and precise to consider it to be reliable.
  • If the hypothesis is a relational hypothesis, then it should be stating the relationship between variables.
  • The hypothesis must be specific and should have scope for conducting more tests.
  • The way of explanation of the hypothesis must be very simple and it should also be understood that the simplicity of the hypothesis is not related to its significance.

Sources of Hypothesis

Following are the sources of hypothesis:

  • The resemblance between the phenomenon.
  • Observations from past studies, present-day experiences and from the competitors.
  • Scientific theories.
  • General patterns that influence the thinking process of people.

Types of Hypothesis

There are six forms of hypothesis and they are:

  • Simple hypothesis
  • Complex hypothesis
  • Directional hypothesis
  • Non-directional hypothesis
  • Null hypothesis
  • Associative and casual hypothesis

Simple Hypothesis

It shows a relationship between one dependent variable and a single independent variable. For example – If you eat more vegetables, you will lose weight faster. Here, eating more vegetables is an independent variable, while losing weight is the dependent variable.

Complex Hypothesis

It shows the relationship between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent variables. Eating more vegetables and fruits leads to weight loss, glowing skin, and reduces the risk of many diseases such as heart disease.

Directional Hypothesis

It shows how a researcher is intellectual and committed to a particular outcome. The relationship between the variables can also predict its nature. For example- children aged four years eating proper food over a five-year period are having higher IQ levels than children not having a proper meal. This shows the effect and direction of the effect.

Non-directional Hypothesis

It is used when there is no theory involved. It is a statement that a relationship exists between two variables, without predicting the exact nature (direction) of the relationship.

Null Hypothesis

It provides a statement which is contrary to the hypothesis. It’s a negative statement, and there is no relationship between independent and dependent variables. The symbol is denoted by “H O ”.

Associative and Causal Hypothesis

Associative hypothesis occurs when there is a change in one variable resulting in a change in the other variable. Whereas, the causal hypothesis proposes a cause and effect interaction between two or more variables.

Examples of Hypothesis

Following are the examples of hypotheses based on their types:

  • Consumption of sugary drinks every day leads to obesity is an example of a simple hypothesis.
  • All lilies have the same number of petals is an example of a null hypothesis.
  • If a person gets 7 hours of sleep, then he will feel less fatigue than if he sleeps less. It is an example of a directional hypothesis.

Functions of Hypothesis

Following are the functions performed by the hypothesis:

  • Hypothesis helps in making an observation and experiments possible.
  • It becomes the start point for the investigation.
  • Hypothesis helps in verifying the observations.
  • It helps in directing the inquiries in the right direction.

How will Hypothesis help in the Scientific Method?

Researchers use hypotheses to put down their thoughts directing how the experiment would take place. Following are the steps that are involved in the scientific method:

  • Formation of question
  • Doing background research
  • Creation of hypothesis
  • Designing an experiment
  • Collection of data
  • Result analysis
  • Summarizing the experiment
  • Communicating the results

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is hypothesis.

A hypothesis is an assumption made based on some evidence.

Give an example of simple hypothesis?

What are the types of hypothesis.

Types of hypothesis are:

  • Associative and Casual hypothesis

State true or false: Hypothesis is the initial point of any investigation that translates the research questions into a prediction.

Define complex hypothesis..

A complex hypothesis shows the relationship between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent variables.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Strong Hypothesis

    A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection.

  2. 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 ...

  3. 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.

  4. How to Write a Hypothesis in 6 Steps, With Examples

    A hypothesis is a statement that explains the predictions and reasoning of your research—an "educated guess" about how your scientific experiments will end. As a fundamental part of the scientific method, a good hypothesis is carefully written, but even the simplest ones can be difficult to put into words.

  5. Hypothesis: Definition, Examples, and Types

    A hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. Explore examples and learn how to format your research hypothesis.

  6. Hypothesis Testing

    Hypothesis testing is a formal procedure for investigating our ideas about the world using statistics. It is most often used by scientists to test specific predictions, called hypotheses, that arise from theories.

  7. How to Write a Strong Hypothesis

    A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested by scientific research. If you want to test a relationship between two or more variables, you need to write hypotheses before you start your experiment or data collection. Example: Hypothesis

  8. What a Hypothesis Is and How to Formulate One

    A hypothesis is a prediction of what will be found at the outcome of a research project and is typically focused on the relationship between two different variables studied in the research. It is usually based on both theoretical expectations about how things work and already existing scientific evidence. Within social science, a hypothesis can ...

  9. Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

    A simple introduction to the concept of hypothesis testing, one of the most important concepts in all of statistics.

  10. 9.1: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

    An hypothesis test is a statistical decision; the conclusion will either be to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative, or to fail to reject the null hypothesis. The decision that we make must, of course, be based on the observed value x x of the data vector X X.

  11. 7.1: Basics of Hypothesis Testing

    In hypothesis testing, you need to first have an understanding of what a hypothesis is, which is an educated guess about a parameter. Once you have the hypothesis, you collect data and use the data …

  12. Hypothesis Testing: Uses, Steps & Example

    Hypothesis testing involves five key steps, each critical to validating a research hypothesis using statistical methods: Formulate the Hypotheses: Write your research hypotheses as a null hypothesis (H 0) and an alternative hypothesis (H A ). Data Collection: Gather data specifically aimed at testing the hypothesis.

  13. Test Statistic: Definition, Types & Formulas

    Test statistics represent effect sizes in hypothesis tests because they denote the difference between your sample effect and no effect —the null hypothesis. Consequently, you use the test statistic to calculate the p-value for your hypothesis test. The above p-value definition is a bit tortuous.

  14. 7.4.1

    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.

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

    Learn how to use t-tests and hypothesis testing to compare sample means and draw statistical inferences. A simple and intuitive explanation with examples.

  16. 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 to make conclusions about hypotheses.

  17. What Is a Hypothesis and How Do I Write One? · PrepScholar

    What Is a Hypothesis? Merriam Webster defines a hypothesis as "an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument." In other words, a hypothesis is an educated guess. Scientists make a reasonable assumption--or a hypothesis--then design an experiment to test whether it's true or not. Keep in mind that in science, a hypothesis should be testable. You have to be able to design an ...

  18. Hypothesis Testing Formula

    Guide to Hypothesis Testing Formula. Here we will learn how to calculate Hypothesis Testing with examples, Calculator and downloadable excel template.

  19. Hypothesis Testing

    Guide to Hypothesis Testing. We explain hypothesis testing steps, types, calculation, significance level, p-value, and z-test using examples,

  20. Hypothesis Testing Formula

    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 against a synthetic data set and idealized model.

  21. Z Test: Uses, Formula & Examples

    A Z test compares means when you know the population standard deviation. Learn about a Z test vs t test, its formula, and interpret examples.

  22. Hypothesis Definition & Meaning

    hypothesis: [noun] an assumption or concession made for the sake of argument. an interpretation of a practical situation or condition taken as the ground for action.

  23. What is Hypothesis

    What is Hypothesis? A hypothesis is an assumption that is made based on some evidence. This is the initial point of any investigation that translates the research questions into predictions. It includes components like variables, population and the relation between the variables. A research hypothesis is a hypothesis that is used to test the relationship between two or more variables.