How do statistical hypothesis tests work?

A statistical hypothesis test is a method used to decide whether data provides sufficient evidence to reject a particular hypothesis. It typically involves calculating a test statistic and evaluating it against a critical value or a p-value. Around 100 specialized statistical tests are currently in use.

What we know

• A statistical hypothesis test helps decide if data provides enough evidence to reject a particular hypothesis. [2]
• The process typically involves calculating a test statistic and comparing it to a critical value or evaluating a p-value. [2]
• Roughly 100 specialized statistical tests are currently in use. [2]
• A scientific hypothesis must be based on observations and provide a testable and reproducible prediction. [4]

Where to go next

• how it workedWhat is a p-value in statistical testing?
• what caused itHow do scientific hypotheses become scientific theories?
• compared withWhat are educational assessments and tests?
• the bigger pictureWhat is statistical inference?
• whenWhen was statistical significance testing developed?
• an unexpected connectionHow does formal logic relate to scientific hypotheses?In formal logic, a hypothesis functions as the antecedent in a proposition like 'If P, then Q', showing a structural parallel to scientific assumptions.

Sources

• [1]statistical test (Wikidata Q210832) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Statistical hypothesis test · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Test · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Hypothesis · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Statistical significance · CC BY-SA 4.0