Which testing a statistical hypothesis with significance level of alpha 0.05, when do you reject the NULL hypothesis (HO)?
To determine whether to reject the null hypothesis (HO) when testing a statistical hypothesis with a significance level of alpha 0.05, you need to compare the calculated test statistic to a critical value. Here's a step-by-step explanation of the process:
1. Formulate the null hypothesis (HO) and the alternative hypothesis (HA) based on the research question.
2. Choose an appropriate test statistic for the hypothesis test based on the type of data and the research question.
3. Define the significance level (alpha), which is the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true. In this case, the significance level is 0.05, which implies a 5% chance of rejecting the null hypothesis incorrectly.
4. Determine the critical value(s) associated with the chosen significance level and test statistic. These critical values are obtained from statistical tables or calculated using software.
5. Calculate the test statistic using sample data and the chosen test statistic formula. For example, for a t-test, compute the t-value.
6. Compare the calculated test statistic to the critical value(s). If the test statistic falls in the critical region (beyond the critical value), you reject the null hypothesis. If the test statistic falls outside the critical region (below or equal to the critical value), you fail to reject the null hypothesis.
It's important to note that failing to reject the null hypothesis does not mean you prove it to be true. It simply suggests that there is not enough evidence to support the alternative hypothesis at the chosen significance level.
By following these steps, you can determine whether to reject the null hypothesis (HO) when testing a statistical hypothesis with a significance level of alpha 0.05.