What is a statement that reflects the opposite of the null hypothesis?

The alternative hypothesis is a statement that reflects the opposite of the null hypothesis. In hypothesis testing, the null hypothesis typically states that there is no effect or no difference between groups or conditions, serving as the default position that researchers aim to test against. On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis posits that there is an effect, a difference, or a relationship present.

By proposing what researchers hope to prove through their study, the alternative hypothesis drives the investigation and provides a clear direction for analysis. It encompasses a range of possibilities that contradict the null hypothesis, making it crucial for the testing process.

In contrast, the null hypothesis simply asserts that any observed effect is due to chance rather than a systematic cause, while the research hypothesis is often considered as the specific claim or prediction being tested. The correlational hypothesis focuses specifically on the relationship between variables without establishing cause and effect, which differentiates it from the broader context of the alternative hypothesis.