PSYB01H3 Chapter 13: Chapter 13.docx
Document Summary
Inferential statistics is necessary because the results of a given study are based on a single sample; researchers rarely study the whole population. Therefore, inferential statistics are used to determine whether the results match what would happen if we were to conduct the experiment again with multiple different sets of sample. Statistical inference begins with a statement of null hypothesis and a research hypothesis. Null hypothesis simply states that the population means are equal and any difference noticed is simply due to random error. Rsearch hypothesis the population means are not equal and that the independent variable did have an effect. If we can determine that the null hypothesis is incorrect then we accept that the research hypothesis is correct which means that we accept that the independent variable did have an effect on the dependent variable. We can only reject a null hypothesis when the probability that the obtained results could be due to random error is very low.
