How to refute a claim: The Null and Alternative Hypothesis
The aim is to refute or reject the Null Hypothesis (Ha)
How?
Write the Null Hypothesis (H0). It is written in the negative.
Write the Alternative Hypothesis (Ha). It is written in the positive.
Do a literature search on the subject.
Provide evidence that refute or reject the Null Hypothesis (Ha).
Examples
Height and shoe size relationship
Null Hypothesis (H0): There is no relationship between height and shoe size.
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): Ha: There is a positive relationship between height and shoe size.
If you find evidence that shows taller people have larger shoes than shorter people, you have refuted the Null Hypothesis (H0).
Work experience and quality of work
Null Hypothesis (H0): Experience on the job has no impact on the quality work.
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha): Ha: The quality of work is influenced by on-the-job experience.
If you find evidence that experience on the job has an impact on the quality of work, you have refuted the Null Hypothesis (H0).
Definition
Null Hypothesis (H0) – Write in the negative. This can be thought of as the implied hypothesis. “Null” meaning “nothing.” This hypothesis states that there is no difference between groups or no relationship between variables. The null hypothesis is a presumption of status quo or no change.
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha) – This is also known as the claim. This hypothesis should state what you expect the data to show, based on your research on the topic. This is your answer to your research question.
Process
Write the Null Hypothesis (H0)
Write the Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)
Do a literature search on the subject
Aim to refute or reject the Null Hypothesis (H0)
References
[1] W. (2023, December 11). How to Write a Null and Alternative Hypothesis: A Guide with Examples. wr1ter.com. https://wr1ter.com/how-to-write-a-null-and-alternative-hypothesis#:~:text=A%20null%20hypothesis%2C%20usually%20symbolized,the%20independent%20and%20dependent%20variables.
[2] LibGuides: Statistics Resources: Null & Alternative Hypotheses. (n.d.). https://resources.nu.edu/statsresources/hypothesis#:~:text=Null%20Hypothesis%3A%20H0%3A%20There%20is%20no%20relationship%20between%20height,of%20a%20brick%20mason's%20work.