Which of the following statements is true about using a hypothesis in your data presentation?

• A. A hypothesis is not required when making inferences about a population.
• B. A hypothesis provides a clear statement that can be tested using statistical methods.
• C. A hypothesis is only necessary if you are presenting descriptive statistics.
• D. A hypothesis should be formed after analyzing the data to avoid bias.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of a hypothesis in statistical analysis: A hypothesis is a clear, testable statement about a population parameter or relationship that guides the data analysis process.
2. Recognize that hypotheses are essential when making inferences about populations because they provide a basis for testing and drawing conclusions beyond the sample data.
3. Note that descriptive statistics summarize data but do not require a hypothesis; hypotheses are primarily used in inferential statistics to test claims or assumptions.
4. Understand that forming a hypothesis after analyzing data can introduce bias, as it may lead to tailoring the hypothesis to fit the observed results rather than objectively testing a pre-stated claim.
5. Conclude that the true statement is: 'A hypothesis provides a clear statement that can be tested using statistical methods,' because it accurately reflects the purpose and proper use of hypotheses in data presentation.