Re: what is the null hypothesis? When where and how do we use it?

February 5, 2001

Patrick,


The "null hypothesis" is a vital component of hypothesis testing and thus 
of the scientific method itself.  The null hypothesis, being opposite of 
the research hypothesis, states that there is no difference between two or 
more variables being tested between groups. Therefore, the researcher tests 
the null hypothesis to see whether or not this is true. If the null is 
rejected the scientist can conclude that the study showed that there were 
significant differences in the studied variables between the groups.  Thus, 
the null hypothesis as an integral part of the scientific method is 
as essential to the testing of evolutionary theory as to any other 
scientific testing.  For further information I would refer you to college 
level statistics textbooks which I'm sure you will be able to find at the 
UCLA library (or science textbooks which will explain the scientific method 
in detail).  Thanks for the question and good luck,

Dr. Smerken