HSS 2381 Chapter 5: Statistical Inference
17 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Inferential statistics for coming to conclusions about what is probably true in a population, based on sample values: always has a degree of uncertainty, or risk of error. Inferential statistics uses laws of probability to provide guidance on what is probably true. This is used to assess if the conclusions based on sample data are valid. Null hypothesis h0: there is no relationship between the independent & dependent variables, i. e nothing happened, no impact. Alternative hypothesis h1: actual research hypothesis, stating there is a relationship between the independent & dependent variables. Probability of an event (p) is expressed as a proportion. The probability of drawing a red card from a normal shuffled deck: # of ways red event can occur = 26. In this example p = . 50: there is a 50-50 chance that the card will be a red suit. Multiplicative law provides this formula: p (a then b) = p (a) p (b)
