Company
Date Published
Author
Tim Chan
Word count
980
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

In this text, the concept of Frequentist hypothesis testing is illustrated through a coin-flipping scenario, where the null hypothesis assumes a fair coin, and an unexpected sequence of results prompts a reevaluation of its fairness. By setting a threshold for statistical significance, the text explains that hypothesis testing identifies when to reject the null hypothesis and accept an alternative hypothesis, based on results unlikely to occur by chance under the null hypothesis. It clarifies common misconceptions about p-values, emphasizing that they reflect the probability of observing results under the null hypothesis, not the likelihood of making the correct decision. The text also touches upon the application of these principles in A/B testing, noting that while larger samples can enhance statistical power, effect size is equally crucial. It advises against repeated peeking at test results without a predetermined plan, highlighting the importance of a fixed horizon test. The text references contributions from industry leaders in experimentation, such as Ronny Kohavi and Allon Korem, and suggests further resources for understanding advanced testing methods like CUPED and insights from platforms like Netflix and Statsig.