how are statistical hypotheses tested 
statistical hypotheses are tested by a four step process the first is for the analyst to state the two hypotheses so that only one can be right the second is to formulate an analysis plan which outlines how the data will be evaluated the third is to carry out the plan and physically analyze the sample data the fourth and final step is to analyze the results and either reject the null hypothesis or claim that the observed differences are explainable by chance alone 