Essay

Describe the formal, three-step logical sequence of null hypothesis testing. In your description, identify the temporary assumption made at the beginning of the process, what researchers calculate in the second step, and how the final decision is reached under both possible outcomes of the decision rule.

Question: Describe the formal, three-step logical sequence of null hypothesis testing. In your description, identify the temporary assumption made at the beginning of the process, what researchers calculate in the second step, and how the final decision is reached under both possible outcomes of the decision rule.

Sample answer: The logical sequence begins by temporarily assuming that the null hypothesis is true, meaning there is no relationship in the population. Second, the researcher determines the probability of obtaining their observed sample relationship under this initial assumption. Finally, the researcher applies a decision rule: if the sample result is extremely unlikely given a true null hypothesis, they reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis; if it is not extremely unlikely, they retain the null hypothesis.

Key points:

  • Temporarily assume that the null hypothesis is true (no relationship in the population).
  • Determine the probability of obtaining the sample relationship under that assumption.
  • Reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis if the result is extremely unlikely.
  • Retain the null hypothesis if the result is not extremely unlikely.

Rubric: Grading Rubric: - Correctly states the initial assumption (assuming the null hypothesis is true / no population relationship). - Correctly states the second step (determining the probability of obtaining the sample relationship under that assumption). - Correctly details the two decision outcomes (rejecting if extremely unlikely, retaining if not extremely unlikely).

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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