A hypothesis, in statistics, is a statement about a population parameter, where this statement typically is represented by some specific numerical value. In testing an idea, we use a method to gather data to gather evidence about the hypothesis. The six steps of the hypothesis include
Step 1: hypothesis testing is selecting which test to use. Each hypothesis test includes two hypotheses about the population. There are hundreds of statistical tests, each designed for a specific purpose. Choosing the correct test depends on various factors, such as the question asked, the type of study done, and the level of measurement of the data.
Step 2: Check the Assumptions. All statistical tests have assumptions, conditions that need to meet before a test is complete. If the belief is unsettled, researchers can’t be sure what the test results mean.
Step 3: List the Hypotheses. It entails listing the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis. Assumptions can be for two-tailed tests (also called non-directional tests) or one-tailed tests (directional tests). A two-tailed hypothesis test doesn’t indicate whether the explanatory variable (adoption in our example) has a positive or negative impact on the outcome variable (IQ), just that it affects.
Step 4: Set the Decision Rule. It entails finding the critical value of the test statistic. The critical value is the test statistic’s value to meet or exceed to reject the null hypothesis.
Step 5: Calculate the Test Statistic. Calculating the test statistic is the most straightforward of the six steps for hypothesis testing. First, plug the correct numbers into a formula and push the right buttons in the proper order on the calculator: that’s how to calculate the test statistic.
Step 6. Interpret the Results. Interpreting the results is the reason for doing statistical tests. The researcher explains, in plain language, what the results are and what they mean. Interpretation is a human skill. Researchers should summarize the results into an overall conclusion for the test.
A scenario in which hypothesis applied to public health setting would possibly evaluate the effectiveness of new diabetes study drug among minority population in the US. Conducting clinical research trials, screen, select, and divide study participants into two groups: those who take actual study drugs and those who take the placebo. The aim is to measure the safety and efficiency of this drug among the minority population and determine the cause of the increase in diabetes among this population which could be heredity or lifestyle.
Reference
Corty, E. (2016). Using and interpreting statistics is a practical text for the behavioral, social, and health sciences (pp. 79-84): essay, Worth Publishers/Macmillan Learning.