Biology 180 Lecture 1:

Hypothesis Testing

Source: Groombridge B. And Jenkins M (2002) World Atlas of Biodiversity Associates. University of
California Press

Jonathan A. Anticamara, Ph.D.

Office: IB 118
Email: jonathan.anticamara@gmail.com

1.1 Hypothesis

Hypothesis a statement about a distribution (e.g., the distribution is

normal); or a statement about its underlying parameter (e.g., =
50); or a statement about the relationships between probability
distributions (e.g., there is no statistical relationship); or its
parameters (e.g., 1 = 2); (put simply: a statement about one or
more populations)

For Discussion:
What are the differences between Scientific Questions, Research
Objectives, and Hypotheses?
What is a Null Hypothesis?

1.2 Null and Alternative Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis is the Hypothesis to be tested, is usually expressed

in null form (i.e., no relationships or no differences), and is
expressed as H0
Definition 3:
Alternative Hypothesis is a Hypothesis that in some sense
contradicts the Null Hypothesis, and is expressed as HA. (put
simply: a statement of what we believe is TRUE if the data rejects
the Null Hypothesis)
For Discussion:
Why is Hypothesis testing important?

1.3 Hypothesis Testing: Considerations

Data the nature of the data that form the basis of the testing
procedure.
Assumptions the testing procedures are often modified depending on
the assumptions.
Stating the Null and Alternative Hypotheses the Null Hypothesis is
the hypothesis to be tested; and the Alternative Hypothesis is a
statement of what we believe is TRUE if the data rejects the Null
Hypothesis.

1.4 Rules for Stating Statistical Hypotheses

An indication of equality (e.g., =, , ) must appear in the

Hypothesis.
For example:
H0: = 50
HA: 50

1.5 Rules of Thumbs Hypothesis Testing

(1) What you hope or expect to be able to conclude as a result of the

the test should be placed in the Alternative Hypothesis;
(2) The Null Hypothesis should contain statement of equality;
(3) The Null Hypothesis is the Hypothesis that is tested;
(4) The Null and Alternative Hypothesis are
complimentary/contradictory.

Question: Can you PROVE anything with statistics?

1.6 Statistical Evidence

A Null Hypothesis is often concerned with a parameter or parameters

of population/s. However, it is often impossible or too costly to
obtain the entire Population Data. Thus, statistical decisions are
often made based on Sample Data.
Test Statistic is a statistic that can be computed from the Sample
Data (e.g., x) and can be used to measure the difference between
(1) the Sample Data and (2) What is expected if the Null
Hypothesis is TRUE.

1.7 Statistical Decisions and Errors

1.8 Hypothesis Testing: Alpha

Example 1A

1.9 Hypothesis Testing: Beta

Example 1B

1.10 Steps in Hypothesis Testing

Step 1. Formulate Null Hypothesis and an Alternative Hypothesis;

Step 2. Design the experiment and obtain data;
Step 3. Choose a Test Statistic;
Step 4. Summarize findings and appropriate conclusions.

1.11 Rejection Region

1.12 One-Sided vs. Two-Sided Rejection

1.13 Test Significance

1.14 P-Values - A

1.15 P-Values B

1.16 P-Values Interpretation