Term: Null Hypothesis

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2008-06-17

Definition:

The statistical hypothesis that a variable is not associated with another variable or set of variables, or that two population distributions do not differ from one another. In other words, it means that the observed results of a study or test are no different from what might have occurred as a result of chance alone.

Related terms 

• Likelihood Ratio Test (LRT)
• Mantel-Haenszel Test
• Pairwise Multiple Comparisons
• Type I Error
• Type II Error

References 

• Last JM. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 4th Edition. In: Spasoff, RA, et. al. (eds). New York, New York: Oxford University Press; 2001. 0-0.(View)

Term used in 

• Doupe M, Kozyrskyj A, Soodeen R, Derksen S, Burchill C, Huq S. An Initial Analysis of Emergency Departments and Urgent Care in Winnipeg. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2008. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)