Bayesian Hypothesis Testing and the Bayes Factor

Bayesian Hypothesis Testing and the

Bayes Factor

7.1 Motivation

This chapter systematically explores the similarities and dierences be-

tween Bayesian and non-Bayesian perspectives on hypothesis testing, and

describes the Bayes factor as the evidence of the quality of one model spec-

ication over another. We start with a general discussion of the state of

hypothesis testing in the social and behavioral sciences and outline where

Bayesian posterior descriptions can replace a number of problematic prac-

tices.