statistical inference

The theory, methods, and practice of forming judgments about the parameters of
a population, usually on the basis of random sampling. Also called: inferential
statistics
An alternative hypothesis (H1) is a statement that directly contradicts a null
hypothesis by stating that that the actual value of a population parameter is less
than, greater than, or not equal to the value stated in the null hypothesis.
The null hypothesis (H0), stated as the null, is a statement about a population
parameter, such as the population mean, that is assumed to be true.
Procedure for deciding if a null hypothesis should be accepted or rejected in favor of
an alternate hypothesis. A statistic is computed from a survey or test result and is
analyzed to determine if it falls within a preset acceptance region. If it does, the null
hypothesis is accepted otherwise rejected.