The null hypothesis is tested against which hypothesis?

• A. The alternative hypothesis.
• B. The null hypothesis.
• C. The data sample.
• D. The p-value.

Answer: (A)

In hypothesis testing, you compare two competing statements: a null hypothesis that assumes no effect or no difference, and an alternative hypothesis that expresses what you’re trying to provide evidence for. The data you collect are used to assess whether there is enough evidence to reject the null in favor of the alternative. If the data show it’s unlikely under the null, you conclude in favor of the alternative. The data sample and the p-value are tools in this process, not the comparison itself. So the null hypothesis is tested against the alternative hypothesis.