I’m debating a friend who, although he is surrounded by scientific-minded people in University, chooses to embrace Christianity. I want to demonstrate to him that in any scientific research condition, the null hypothesis is favored over the alternative hypothesis by default, unless contradictory research can be produced. This would indicate that before the research is even commenced, it is more reasonable to assume that the null hypothesis is true than to remain undecided or accept the alternative hypothesis.
What are some good references that I can use to get this idea across to him?
Posted: June 19th 2010
logicel
I find this link to be a fun way to understand the scientific use of the null hypothesis. This Scientific American article deals with the topic with a little more length and is also quite good.
Posted: July 5th 2010