Evaluating Statistical Difference, Equivalence, and Indeterminancy Using Inferential Confidence Intervals: An Integrated Alternative Method of Conducting Null Hypothesis statistical tests

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST) has been debated extensively but always successfully defended. The technical merits of NHST are not disputed in this article. The widespread misuse of NHST has created a human factors problem that this article intends to ameliorate. This article describes an integrated, alternative inferential confidence interval approach to testing for statistical difference, equivalence, and indeterminacy that is algebraically equivalent to standard NHST procedures and therefore exacts the same evidential standard. The combined numeric and graphic tests of statistical difference, equivalence, and indeterminacy are designed to avoid common interpretive problems associated with NHST procedures. Multiple comparisons, power, sample size, test reliability, effect size, and cause-effect ratio are discussed. A section on the proper interpretation of confidence intervals is followed by a decision rule summary and caveats.

Article Number

1077

Publication Date

2001

Peer Reviewed

1

Comments

APA Citation: Tryon, W. W. (2001). Evaluating statistical difference, equivalence, and indeterminancy using inferential confidence intervals: An integrated alternative method of conducting null hypothesis statistical tests. Psychological Methods, 6(4), 371-386.

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