Using Confidence Intervals in Supply Chain and Operations Research*

Like research throughout the entire business discipline, supply chain management research has relied almost exclusively on hypothesis testing methods. This is unfortunate as hypothesis tests are routinely misinterpreted in scientific research. We explain the limitations of hypothesis testing and recommend the use of confidence intervals as the preferred inferential statistical method. In particular, the additional information provided by confidence interval methods is highlighted using several supply chain management examples. We conclude with a set of recommendations designed to enhance the quality of supply chain management research.