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alternative hypothesis
This term is a technical expression used exclusively within the framework of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST). It represents the researcher's actual prediction or the claim that a specific effect, difference, or relationship exists within a population. It stands in direct opposition to the null hypothesis, which assumes no effect.
In a practical research setting, the alternative hypothesis is not proven true in a definitive sense; rather, it is supported when the evidence is strong enough to make the null hypothesis statistically improbable. It is typically denoted by the symbol H1 or Ha in academic papers and statistical reports.
Meanings
In statistics, the statement that there is a significant effect or relationship between variables, which is accepted if the null hypothesis is rejected.
The researchers formulated an alternative hypothesis suggesting that the new drug is more effective than the placebo.