Estimation and Hypothesis Testing

Estimation and Hypothesis Testing

Published by: Anu Poudeli

Published date: 21 Jun 2023

Estimation and Hypothesis Testing

Fundamental ideas in statistical reference, which involves drawing conclusions and inferences about populations based on sample data, include estimation and hypothesis testing.

An  outline of estimation and hypothesis testing is provided below :

Estimation : Estimation is the process of estimating or drawing conclusions about population parameters, such as means, proportions, or variances, using sample data. Getting a point estimate or an interval estimate is the aim of estimation.

Point Estimate : A point estimate is a single number used to calculate an estimate for a population parameter that is unknown. For instance, a point estimate of the population mean is frequently derived from the sample mean.

 Interval Estimate : An interval estimae gives tha range of values that the population parameter is likely to fall within. It is made comprised  pf an upper bound and a lower bound, which are typically stated as confidence intervals. Confidence intervals offer a wayto quantity the degree of uncertainity surrounding the estimate.

Hypothesis Testing

 Based on sample data, hypothesis testing is a statistical technique used to draw conclusions or make decisions about a population. It entails creating a null hypothesis (HO), an alternative hypothesis (H1 or Ha), and assessing the evidence against the null hypothesis using sample data.

 Null Hypothesis (H0) : The null hypothesis (HO) states that there is no difference oe effect. It stands for the current situation or a challengeable assertion. For instance, HOcam claim that the means of two populations do not differ from one another.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1 or Ha) : The assertion that conflicts with the null hypothesis is known as the alternative hypothesis (H1 or Ha). It stands for the change or effect that we are trying to find. It can be one-tailed (for example, by expressing a particular direction) or two-tailed (for example, by stating a difference without indicating a direction).

Steps for Testing Hypothesis :

1. The null and alternative hypothesis should be written down.

2. Determine the sampling distribution of the test statistic you choose under choose under the null hypothesis.

3. Set the test's level of significance (alpha), which establishes the cutoff for disproving the null hypothesis.

4. Calculate the test statistic after gathering some  sample data.

5. To reach a conclusion, compare the test statistic to the critical value (s) or p value.

6. Draw the conclusions and consider the findings in light of the issue.

The t-twst for means,chi-square test for proportions, and ANOVA (analysis of variance) for comparing means across several groups are examples of commonly used hypothesis tests.

It's crucial to understand the connection between estimation and hypothesis testing. The point estimates or confidence intervals needed for hypothesis testing are provided by estimation, whereas hypothesis testing helps determine whether the assumptions or claims made during estimation are true.

These ideas  are fundamental to statistical analysis and offer a framework for extrapolating information about populations from sample data.