Stat 1000: You only have to memorize 4 Steps to Test Hypotheses!

Published: Sat, 11/15/14

Grant's Revised Steps to Test Hypotheses

Important Note:  They have omitted the critical value step (Step 2 in my steps for Hypothesis Testing as taught in Lesson 9 of my book).  This means that you only have to memorize Four Steps to test hypotheses, and should always use the P-value to make your conclusions.

Your steps to test a hypothesis should always be:

  1. State the Hypotheses and so establish whether the test is upper-tailed, lower-tailed, or two-tailed.
  2. Compute the test statistic using the correct formula for z or t.
  3. Compute the P-value by marking the test statistic on a bell curve and shading the appropriate region according to your alternative hypothesis.
  4. State your conclusion knowing that you always reject Ho if the P-value < alpha.