The p and the Peas: An Intuitive Modeling Approach to Hypothesis Testing

C. Neuhauser; E. Stanley

Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena (2011)

  • Volume: 6, Issue: 6, page 76-95
  • ISSN: 0973-5348

Abstract

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We propose a novel approach to introducing hypothesis testing into the biology curriculum. Instead of telling students the hypothesis and what kind of data to collect followed by a rigid recipe of testing the hypothesis with a given test statistic, we ask students to develop a hypothesis and a mathematical model that describes the null hypothesis. Simulation of the model under the null hypothesis allows students to compare their experimental data to what they would expect under the null hypothesis, thus leading to a much more intuitive understanding of hypothesis testing. This approach has been tested both in the classroom and in faculty workshops, and we provide some suggestions for implementations based on our experiences.

How to cite

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Neuhauser, C., and Stanley, E.. "The p and the Peas: An Intuitive Modeling Approach to Hypothesis Testing." Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena 6.6 (2011): 76-95. <http://eudml.org/doc/222443>.

@article{Neuhauser2011,
abstract = {We propose a novel approach to introducing hypothesis testing into the biology curriculum. Instead of telling students the hypothesis and what kind of data to collect followed by a rigid recipe of testing the hypothesis with a given test statistic, we ask students to develop a hypothesis and a mathematical model that describes the null hypothesis. Simulation of the model under the null hypothesis allows students to compare their experimental data to what they would expect under the null hypothesis, thus leading to a much more intuitive understanding of hypothesis testing. This approach has been tested both in the classroom and in faculty workshops, and we provide some suggestions for implementations based on our experiences. },
author = {Neuhauser, C., Stanley, E.},
journal = {Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena},
keywords = {data analysis; hypothesis testing; mathematical and biological reasoning; model building; model revision; normal distribution; peas; probability; sampling; seed development},
language = {eng},
month = {10},
number = {6},
pages = {76-95},
publisher = {EDP Sciences},
title = {The p and the Peas: An Intuitive Modeling Approach to Hypothesis Testing},
url = {http://eudml.org/doc/222443},
volume = {6},
year = {2011},
}

TY - JOUR
AU - Neuhauser, C.
AU - Stanley, E.
TI - The p and the Peas: An Intuitive Modeling Approach to Hypothesis Testing
JO - Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena
DA - 2011/10//
PB - EDP Sciences
VL - 6
IS - 6
SP - 76
EP - 95
AB - We propose a novel approach to introducing hypothesis testing into the biology curriculum. Instead of telling students the hypothesis and what kind of data to collect followed by a rigid recipe of testing the hypothesis with a given test statistic, we ask students to develop a hypothesis and a mathematical model that describes the null hypothesis. Simulation of the model under the null hypothesis allows students to compare their experimental data to what they would expect under the null hypothesis, thus leading to a much more intuitive understanding of hypothesis testing. This approach has been tested both in the classroom and in faculty workshops, and we provide some suggestions for implementations based on our experiences.
LA - eng
KW - data analysis; hypothesis testing; mathematical and biological reasoning; model building; model revision; normal distribution; peas; probability; sampling; seed development
UR - http://eudml.org/doc/222443
ER -

References

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  6. Microsoft Knowledgebase Article ID 828795. Description of the RAND function in Excel. Revision 6.0. (2010). [accessed 6 September 2010]  URIhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/828795
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  8. NUMB3R5 COUNT! Workshop (2009). [accessed 24 September 2010]  URIhttp://www.bioquest.org/NumbersCount/utk_2009/ resources.php

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