Null Hypothesis

Definition of Null Hypothesis

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Null Hypothesis: When testing a research hypothesis, which the researcher has good reason to believe is true, it is customary to use a null hypothesis. This is typically a hypothesis of no difference or of no association between variables. If the research hypothesis is that men have a higher rate of suicide than do women, the null hypothesis would be that there is no difference in suicide rates between men and women. Researcher then try to disprove the null hypothesis and if they fail to reject it, they accept the research hypothesis. See: FALSIFIABILITY (OR REFUTABILITY) in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.

Null Hypothesis: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Null Hypothesis. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada