Statistical hypothesis test

A statistical hypothesis test is a method used in statistics. It helps you describe the results you get from an experiment. The hypothesis test tells you the likelihood that a specific result would happen by chance.

Statistical hypothesis tests answer the question: Assuming that the null hypothesis is true, what is the probability of getting a value which is at least as extreme as the value that was actually observed?.^[1]

So, for example, if the result would only happen by chance 5% of the time, then the experimental hypothesis is supported to the 95% level.

References

1. Cramer, Duncan & Howitt, Dennis 2004. (9 June 2004). The Sage dictionary of statistics. p. 76. ISBN 0-7619-4138-X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)