- Bayesian Hypothesis Testing and the Bayes Factor

This chapter systematically explores Bayesian hypothesis testing, and describes the

Bayes Factor as the evidence of the quality of one model specification 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 prob-

lematic practices. The emphasis will be mainly on using Bayesian tools for determining

the strength of evidence, rather than the details of the many differences between Bayesian

and non-Bayesian approaches. For a very clear, and succinct, discussion of the historical

developments in this regard, see Marden (2000).