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

top
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

top

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

top
  1. AAMC-HHMI. Scientific foundations for future physicians. (2009). [accessed 11 September 2010]  URIhttp://www.hhmi.org/grants/pdf/08-209_AAMC-HHMI_report.pdf
  2. M. Banuelos, J. Obeso. Maternal provisioning, sibling rivalry and seed mass variability in the dioecious shrub Rhamnus alpinis. Evolutionary Ecology, (2003), No. 17, 19–31.  
  3. K. Bawa, C. Webb. Flower, fruit and seed abortion in tropical rainforest trees: Implications for the evolution of paternal and maternal reproductive patterns. American Journal of Botany, (1984), No. 71, 736–751.  
  4. D. Buckley, M. Cohen. Developmental selection: Pollen tube competition and seed abortion. In J. Jungck and V. Vaughan, (Eds.). The BioQUEST Library VI. Academic Press, San Diego, 2001.  
  5. L. Kamin. Using a five-step procedure for inferential statistical analyses. The American Biology Teacher, 72 (2010) No. 3, 186–188.  
  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
  7. National Research Council of the National Academies. BIO2010: Transforming undergraduate education for future research biologists. National Academies of Science, Washington, DC., 2003.  
  8. NUMB3R5 COUNT! Workshop (2009). [accessed 24 September 2010]  URIhttp://www.bioquest.org/NumbersCount/utk_2009/ resources.php

NotesEmbed ?

top

You must be logged in to post comments.

To embed these notes on your page include the following JavaScript code on your page where you want the notes to appear.

Only the controls for the widget will be shown in your chosen language. Notes will be shown in their authored language.

Tells the widget how many notes to show per page. You can cycle through additional notes using the next and previous controls.

    
                

Note: Best practice suggests putting the JavaScript code just before the closing </body> tag.