Statistical hypothesis testing and some pitfalls

Abstract

Data analysis for research purposes usually aims to use the information gained from a sample of individuals in order to make inferences about the relevant population. Statistical hypothesis testing is a widely used method of statistical inference. It is important to a reader of scienti3c or expert journals, as well as to a researcher, to understand the basic concepts of the testing procedure, in order to make sound decision and opinion on presented results. This article gives an overview of basic steps in the general procedure for statistical hypothesis testing and points out some common pitfalls and misconceptions. Questions with particular regard toPvalue, determining signi3cance level, proving null hypothesis and multiplicity problem were addressed.