Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis
In the realm of hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H₁ or Ha) play critical roles. The null hypothesis generally assumes no difference, effect, or relationship between variables, suggesting that any observed change or effect is due to random chance. Its counterpart, the alternative hypothesis, asserts the presence of a significant difference, effect, or relationship between variables, challenging the null hypothesis. These hypotheses are formulated based on the research question and guide statistical analyses.
Difference Between Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis
The null hypothesis (H0) serves as the baseline assumption in statistical testing, suggesting no significant effect, relationship, or difference within the data. It often proposes that any observed change or correlation is merely due to chance or random variation. Conversely, the alternative hypothesis (H1 or Ha) contradicts the null hypothesis, positing the existence of a genuine effect, relationship or difference in the data. It represents the researcher’s intended focus, seeking to provide evidence against the null hypothesis and support for a specific outcome or theory. These hypotheses form the crux of hypothesis testing, guiding the assessment of data to draw conclusions about the population being studied.
Null Hypothesis vs Alternative Hypothesis | ||
---|---|---|
Criteria | Null Hypothesis | Alternative Hypothesis |
Definition | Assumes no effect or difference | Asserts a specific effect or difference |
Symbol | H0 | H1 (or Ha) |
Formulation | States equality or absence of parameter | States a specific value or relationship |
Testing Outcome | Rejected if evidence of a significant effect | Accepted if evidence supports the hypothesis |
Null Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis, often denoted as H0, is a foundational concept in statistical hypothesis testing. It represents an assumption that no significant difference, effect, or relationship exists between variables within a population. It serves as a baseline assumption, positing no observed change or effect occurring. The null is the truth or falsity of an idea in analysis.
In this article, we will discuss the null hypothesis in detail, along with some solved examples and questions on the null hypothesis.
Table of Content
- What is Null Hypothesis?
- Null Hypothesis Symbol
- Formula of Null Hypothesis
- Types of Null Hypothesis
- Null Hypothesis Examples
- Principle of Null Hypothesis
- How do you Find Null Hypothesis?
- Null Hypothesis in Statistics
- Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis
- Null Hypothesis and Alternative Hypothesis Examples
- Null Hypothesis – Practice Problems
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