Question

In the prior question (#2), you were asked to match the appropriate wording for the null hypothesis to the type of test. The response options for all of the null hypotheses included the phrase "in the population." Why is it necessary or correct to include this phrase for all null hypotheses when doing inferential statistical tests of any type? Why is it necessary or correct to include this phrase for all null hypotheses when doing inferential statistical tests of any type?

Answer 1

To apply the test of significance, we first setup the hypothesis. Hypothesis is a definitive statement about the population parameter. Such a hypothesis, which is a hypothesis of ‘no difference ‘ is considered to be the null hypothesis.

Thus, H0 or the null hypothesis is the sample statistic does not differ significantly from the hypothetical parameter value(population).

The main objective in sampling theory is draw valid inference about the population parameter from which the sample is selected. Thus, it is correct to include the phrase for the null hypothesis.