The logic behind a statistical test of hypothesis is similar to the following logic. Draw two lines on a paper and determine whether they are of different lengths. You compare them and say, "Well, certainly they are not equal. Therefore, they must be of different lengths. By rejecting equality, that is, the null hypothesis, you assert that there is a difference.

A hypothesis is an educated guess. A hypothesis can also be presented as a claim. A claim is a personal statement that is made. Describe a claim of your own about some value that is different from an average. Be sure to include a numerical value that can serve as a reference point. This is how statistical tests are initiated. For example, I claim that the average college textbook costs more than $50. You can begin in this way if you want..."I claim that the average..."

After you have developed a possible hypothesis, think of and describe ways that you could confirm or disprove the hypothesis through experimentation.