We will think of the sample of 8 attempts as identical observations from a random process, and we are choosing between two possibilities:
(1) Yukon can understand behavioral cues,
(2) Yukon does not consistently understand behavioral cues and is guessing randomly.
Definition: In drawing conclusions beyond our sample data to the underlying random process, we will often be choosing between two competing claims about the underlying process: • The null hypothesis, which is the “by chance alone” explanation; • The alternative hypothesis, which is usually what the researchers are hoping to show. |
In Investigation 1.1, the null hypothesis was that infants (in general) choose equally among the two toys in the long run. The alternative hypothesis was that infants have a genuine preference for the helper toy.