The alternative hypothesis is a description of the status quo, of conventional wisdom, of a "state of innocence," of what people have long believed to be true.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The alternative hypothesis is actually the opposite of the null hypothesis and proposes a new or different explanation for the observed phenomenon. It is not necessarily related to conventional wisdom or what people already believe to be true.

The Alternative Hypothesis Is a Description of the Status Quo