3.5.B—Identify the null and alternative hypotheses for a population proportion

Identify the null and alternative hypotheses for a population proportion.

• In the hypothesis testing procedure, the null hypothesis, H0, is the statement about a parameter that is assumed to be correct unless there is convincing statistical evidence suggesting otherwise. It is the status quo condition. The alternative hypothesis, Ha, is the claim or belief about a parameter for which evidence is being collected. A researcher’s claim or belief about the population parameter is represented by the alternative hypothesis.
• The null hypothesis contains an equality reference ,, or . Although the null hypothesis for a one-sided test may include an inequality symbol, in
• The null hypothesis for a one-sample z-test for a population proportion is as follows: H:0 p ,p 0 where p0 is the null hypothesized value for the population proportion. A one-sided alternative hypothesis for a one-sample z-test for a population proportion is either H:a0 pp or H: pp 0a . A two-sided alternative hypothesis is H:a pp 0.