Study Guide Hypothesis Testing
Study Guide Hypothesis Testing
3. Test Statistics
- Z-test: Used for large sample sizes (n ≥ 30) or known population standard deviations.
- Formula: z = (x̄ - μ₀) / (σ/√n)
- T-test: Used for smaller sample sizes (n < 30) or when the population standard deviation is
unknown.
- Formula: t = (x̄ - μ₀) / (s/√n)
- Use degrees of freedom: df = n - 1
4. P-values
- Definition: The probability of obtaining a test statistic at least as extreme as the one
observed, assuming the null hypothesis is true.
- If the P-value is small (less than the significance level, α), it suggests that the null
hypothesis is unlikely.
- One-tailed test: P-value is for the direction specified by Ha.
- Two-tailed test: P-value is the probability of the statistic being as extreme or more
extreme in both directions (positive and negative).
5. Confidence Intervals
- A confidence interval (CI) provides a range of plausible values for the population
parameter.
- For a population mean:
CI = x̄ ± t₀.₀₅ × (s / √n)
where t₀.₀₅ is the critical t-value corresponding to the desired confidence level (e.g., 95%,
99%).
- The critical value t₀.₀₅ can be found using the t-distribution table or calculator.
- The interpretation: "We are X% confident that the true population parameter lies within
this interval."
Key Formulas
- Z-test (for large samples):
z = (x̄ - μ₀) / (σ/√n)
- T-test (for small samples):
t = (x̄ - μ₀) / (s/√n)
- Confidence Interval (for mean):
CI = x̄ ± t₀.₀₅ × (s / √n)