7.3 Roadmap

7.3.1 Rearview Mirror

  • Statisticians create a population model to represent the world
  • A population model has parameters we are interested in
    • Ex: A parameter might represent the effect that a vitamin has on test performance
  • A null hypothesis is a specific statement about a parameter
    • Ex: The vitamin has zero effect on performance
  • A hypothesis test is a procedure for rejecting or not rejecting a null, such the probability of a type 1 error is constrained.

7.3.2 Today

  • There are often multiple hypothesis tests you can apply to a scenario.
  • Our primary concern is choosing a test with assumptions we can defend.
  • Secondarily, we want to maximize power.

7.3.3 Looking ahead

  • Next week, we start working with models for linear regression
  • We will see how hypothesis testing is also used for regression parameters.