Yes, ng-hide (or ng-show) directive won't create child scope.
Here is my practice:
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/angularjs/1.2.0rc1/angular.min.js"></script>
<script>
function main($scope) {
$scope.testa = false;
$scope.testb = false;
$scope.testc = false;
$scope.testd = false;
}
</script>
<div ng-app >
<div ng-controller="main">
Test A: {{testa}}<br />
Test B: {{testb}}<br />
Test C: {{testc}}<br />
Test D: {{testd}}<br />
<div>
testa (without ng-if): <input type="checkbox" ng-model="testa" />
</div>
<div ng-if="!testa">
testb (with ng-if): <input type="checkbox" ng-model="$parent.testb" />
</div>
<div ng-show="!testa">
testc (with ng-show): <input type="checkbox" ng-model="testc" />
</div>
<div ng-hide="testa">
testd (with ng-hide): <input type="checkbox" ng-model="testd" />
</div>
</div>
</div>