Alternate Hypothesis Statement - LSS Glossary

An alternate hypothesis is a statement that proposes a potential relationship or difference between two variables that contradicts the null hypothesis. It is a crucial part of any scientific experiment, as it guides the researcher in determining whether their results support or reject the null hypothesis.

What is an Alternate Hypothesis Statement?

An alternate hypothesis statement is a statement that proposes a potential relationship or difference between two variables that contradicts the null hypothesis. It is often represented by the symbol “H1” or “Ha” and is the opposite of the null hypothesis, which is represented by the symbol “H0”. The alternate hypothesis is what the researcher hopes to prove or disprove through their experiment.

Purpose of Alternate Hypothesis Statement

The purpose of an alternate hypothesis statement is to guide the researcher in determining whether their results support or reject the null hypothesis. By proposing a potential relationship or difference between two variables, this hypothesis allows the researcher to test their findings against a specific prediction. If the results of the experiment support the alternate hypothesis, the researcher can reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is a significant relationship or difference between the variables.

Types of Alternate Hypothesis Statements

Below are the different types of alternate hypothesis statement, including one-tailed and two-tailed, directional and non-directional, and simple and composite.

One-tailed and Two-tailed Hypothesis

One-tailed and two-tailed hypotheses refer to the direction of the predicted relationship or difference between the variables. A one-tailed hypothesis predicts a specific direction of the relationship or difference, while a two-tailed hypothesis does not specify the direction. For example, a one-tailed hypothesis would be “The new medication reduces depression symptoms more than the placebo,” while a two-tailed hypothesis would be “The new medication has a significant effect on reducing depression symptoms.”

Directional and Non-directional Hypothesis

Directional and non-directional hypotheses refer to the level of detail in the prediction of the relationship or difference between the variables. A directional hypothesis makes a specific prediction about the relationship or difference, while a non-directional hypothesis does not specify the direction or magnitude of the relationship or difference. For example, a directional hypothesis would be “The new medication reduces depression symptoms by at least 30%,” while a non-directional hypothesis would be “The new medication has a significant effect on reducing depression symptoms.”

Simple and Composite Hypothesis

Simple and composite hypotheses refer to the complexity of the prediction of the relationship or difference between the variables. A simple hypothesis makes a single prediction about the relationship or difference, while a composite hypothesis makes multiple predictions. For example, a simple hypothesis would be “The new medication reduces depression symptoms,” while a composite hypothesis would be “The new medication reduces depression symptoms and improves sleep quality.”

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How to Construct an Alternate Hypothesis Statement

Constructing an alternate hypothesis statement can be a complex task. It requires a clear understanding of the variables being studied and the research question being asked. There are several key steps to follow when constructing an this statement:

Clearly define the variables being studied.
State the research question in a clear and concise manner.
Formulate a prediction about the relationship or difference between the variables.
Write the alternate hypothesis statement using the prediction.

For example, a researcher studying the effectiveness of a new medication for treating depression may ask the research question “Does the new medication have a significant effect on reducing depression symptoms?” The alternate hypothesis in this case would be “The new medication has a significant effect on reducing depression symptoms.”

Examples

Null hypothesis: The new medication has no effect on reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Alternate hypothesis: The new medication has a significant effect on reducing symptoms of anxiety.

Null hypothesis: There is no relationship between exercise and heart health.
Alternate hypothesis: There is a significant relationship between exercise and heart health.

Null hypothesis: The average test scores for students in online learning are not different from students in traditional classroom.
Alternate hypothesis: The average test scores for students in online learning are significantly different from students in traditional classroom.

Null hypothesis: There is no correlation between parental involvement and academic performance of children.
Alternate hypothesis: There is a significant correlation between parental involvement and academic performance of children.

An alternate hypothesis statement is a crucial part of any scientific experiment. It guides the researcher in determining whether their results support or reject the null hypothesis. It is a statement that proposes a potential relationship or difference between two variables that contradicts the null hypothesis. Understanding how to construct an alternate hypothesis statement is essential for any researcher. It allows them to test their findings against a specific prediction and draw valid conclusions.

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Sachin Naik

Passionate about improving processes and systems | Lean Six Sigma practitioner, trainer and coach for 14+ years consulting giant corporations and fortune 500 companies on Operational Excellence | Start-up enthusiast | Change Management and Design Thinking student | Love to ride and drive