Testing theories with Bayes factors
Bayes factors – evidence for one model versus another – are a useful tool in the social and behavioral sciences, partly because they can provide evidence for no effect relative to the sort of effect expected. By contrast, a non-significant result does not provide evidence for the null hypothesis tested. If non-significance does not in itself count against any theory predicting an effect, how could a theory fail a test? Bayes factors provide a measure of evidence from first principles. A severe test is one that is likely to obtain evidence against a theory if it were false – to obtain an extreme Bayes factor against the theory. Bayes factors show why cherry picking degrades evidence, how to deal with multiple testing, and how optional stopping is consistent with severe testing. Further, informed Bayes factors can be used to link theory tightly to how that theory is tested, so that the measured evidence does relate to the theory.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Publisher
Cambridge University PressPublisher URL
External DOI
Volume
Volume 1: Building a Program of ResearchPage range
494-512Book title
The Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods and Statistics for the Social and Behavioral SciencesISBN
9781009010054Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes