Introduction to Biostatistics with JMP

Chapter 6: Null Hypothesis Significance Testing

Statistics show that of those who contract the habit of eating, very few survive.

George Bernard Shaw

Introduction

Biological Versus Statistical Ho

NHST Rationale

p-Values

p-Value Interpretation

A Tale of Tails

Error Types

A Case Study in JMP

Introduction

We have now arrived at our last “theoretical” chapter before we start looking at specific case studies and tests. What is Null Hypothesis Significance Testing, also known affectionately as NHST? If we break the phrase apart, obviously we are talking about testing something (that is why it’s called “testing”). We are testing the significance of something, and there must be some criterion, if not multiple criteria, for assessing that significance. ...