Hypothesis Testing

Question 1

Null hypothesis

Answer 1

Specifies the value of a population parameter; states there is no difference or relationship, or that the IV does NOT affect the DV
Represents the status quo, or there being no affect.

Question 2

Alternative Hypothesis

Answer 2

Not equal to the value specified by the null hypothesis; there is a difference or relationship, or the IV does affect the DV.
Cannot prove the alternative hypothesis, can only disprove the null hypothesis.

Question 3

Significance level

Answer 3

The probability that the outcome was due to something other than chance or sampling error. Small P value (0.05) indicates strong evidence against the null hypothesis; anything larger is weak evidence against the null hypothesis.

Question 4

Type I Error

Answer 4

When the researcher rejects the null hypothesis even though it is true. False positive.

Question 5

Type II error

Answer 5

When the researcher accepts the null hypothesis when it is false, missing the real “difference”. False negative