alternative hypothesis

American  

noun

1. (in the statistical testing of a hypothesis) the hypothesis to be accepted if the null hypothesis is rejected.

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alternative hypothesis British  

noun

1. statistics the hypothesis that given data do not conform with a given null hypothesis: the null hypothesis is accepted only if its probability exceeds a predetermined significance level Compare hypothesis testing null hypothesis

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Compare meaning

How does alternative-hypothesis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• null hypothesis vs. alternative hypothesis

Example Sentences

This can be thought of as making a claim that the requirement is being met and thus the claim is in the alternative hypothesis.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

This is set up as a one-tailed test with the claim in the alternative hypothesis that the medicine will produce more endorphins than the sugar pill.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

They are "cannot accept H0" if the sample information favors the alternative hypothesis or "do not reject H0" or "decline to reject H0" if the sample information is insufficient to reject the null hypothesis.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

The burden of proof always lies with the alternative hypothesis.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Then and only then would I have the right, so to speak—would I give myself permission, as it were—to consider the alternative hypothesis: I was pardoned.

From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus