What are some reasons that could cause a researcher to retai

What are some reasons that could cause a researcher to retain the null hypothesis (i.e. fail to find a significant result)? Check all that apply

Large amount of expected error (SEM)

Small sample size

Large standard deviation

Small alpha (alpha = .01)

Solution

1 is true, as a larger expected error means there is a greater scope to retain the hypothesis as the interval widens

2 is true, as smaller sample size implies that the error is larger

3 is true, as a greater standard deviation means that the interval will be wider for a given level of significance, and therefore, there will be more scope to retain the null hypothesis

4 is true, as a smaller alpha means that we have to be surer in rejecting null hypothesis, which implies that the interval is larger, and therefore a greater chance of retaining the null hypothesis