EJMT Abstract

Hypothesis testing is used to make inferences about population parameters. Hypothesis testing is among the most challenging topics at the conceptual level for many students. Research has shown that the use of computer simulation methods as an alternative to traditional methods enhances the understanding of the concepts. R, a free software environment, has many capabilities that are ideal for performing computer simulations. In this paper, we describe how to use simulations in R that place the concept of p-value in a central role to understand the hypothesis testing in introductory level. The p-value distribution and the relationship between the p-value and the evidence against the null hypothesis are shown graphically to enhance the understanding of the concepts.