Chi square is a statistical test that compares actual results with expected results.

If the results of an experiment are really close to the numbers you expected, the Chi
square test will confirm that “there is no significant difference between actual and
expected results.” This means that your prediction (hypothesis) was correct.

If the results of an experiments are different from the numbers you expected, the Chi
square test will confirm that “there is a significant difference between actual and
expected results.” This means that your prediction (hypothesis) was not correct.

Here is how the Chi square test works:

FIRST: GATHER DATA INTO A DATA TABLE

Group 1 (Hitchhiker’s Thumb) Group 2 (regular thumb)

Actual count 97 101

Expected number 99 99

In the data table, notice that there were a total of 198 people who were examined.
The hypothesis we made up is that 50% of all people will have hitchhiker’s thumb. In this
case, the EXPECTED results are that there are equal numbers of people with hitchhikers
thumb and regular thumb. The Chi square test will tell you if this can be confirmed as
true or not.

SECOND: CALCULATE CHI SQUARE

Chi square is a number (just like your grade point average is a number). Chi square is a
useful number that can be calculated this way:

Chi square = (actual1 – expected 1)2 + (actual2 – expected2)2

Expected1 Expected2

THIRD: COMPARE CHI SQUARE TO A NUMBER IN A STATISTICAL CHART

If you have 2 groups in your experiment, compare Chi square to the number 3.84
If Chi square is LOWER than 3.84, then there is “no significant difference” between
actual and expected values. This means your actual numbers match your hypothesis.
If Chi square is GREATER than 3.84, then there IS a significant difference between
actual and expected values. This means that your actual numbers do NOT match your
hypothesis.

If there are 3 groups in your experiment, compare Chi square to 5.99

If there are 4 groups in your experiment, compare Chi square to 7.82