Interval Estimation & Hypothesis testing

14 important questions on Interval Estimation & Hypothesis testing

What is estimation in statistics?

Estimation means using sample data to infer something about the population parameter (like μ or p):

  1. Point estimate: a single best guess (e.g. sample mean Xˉ)
  2. Interval estimate: a range that likely contains the true value (confidence interval)

What is the standard error (SE)?

It measures how much the sample mean varies from sample to sample.
Smaller SE → more precise estimates.

What is a confidence interval (CI) for a population mean μ (σ known)?

Used when the population standard deviation (σ) is known and sample is large (n ≥ 30).
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What is a CI for μ (σ unknown)?

Use the t-distribution if σ is unknown or n < 30.
→ df=n−1df = n - 1

What does the confidence level (e.g. 95%) mean?

It means:
If we repeated sampling many times, 95% of the confidence intervals would contain the true population mean μ.
It does not mean there’s a 95% chance that μ lies in your interval — μ is fixed!

What is the formula for a CI for a population proportion p?

Formula:

What is hypothesis testing?

A formal procedure to decide whether sample evidence supports or rejects a claim about a population.

What are the steps of hypothesis testing?

  1. State hypotheses
  2. Choose significance level (alpha)
  3. Calculate test statistic
  4. Find critical value or p-value
  5. Conclude (Reject or Fail to Reject H0)

What is the null hypothesis (H0)

A statement of no effect or no difference (status quo).
Example: H0​ : μ = 10

What is the alternative hypothesis (H1)?

A statement indicating there is an effect or difference.
Examples:
H1:μ≠10 -> two-tailed
H1:μ>10 -> right-tailed
H1:μ<10 -> left-tailed

What is the test statistic for a population mean (σ known)?

Formula:

What is the test statistic for a population mean (σ unknown)?

Formula:

What is the rejection region?

The set of test statistic values for which you reject H0​ .
Example: for α = 0.05, two-tailed → reject if |Z| > 1.96.

What is the relationship between CI and hypothesis testing?

If the hypothesized mean (μ₀) lies outside the CI, reject H0H_0
If it lies inside, fail to reject H0H_0

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