Which statement below is true?
A) only the null hypothesis can be true
B) only the alternative hypothesis can be true
C) both the null and alternative hypotheses can be true at the same time
D) only the null or the alternative hypothesis can be true

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In hypothesis testing, we assume two hypotheses: null and alternative hypothesis. We test the null hypothesis against the alternative hypothesis. We either reject the null hypothesis or fail to reject it. If we reject the null hypothesis, we accept the alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis represents the status quo, and the alternative hypothesis is what we are trying to prove.

In hypothesis testing, we cannot prove the alternative hypothesis; we can only fail to reject it. Hence, we can only say that the null hypothesis is false or that we have insufficient evidence to reject it. Therefore, only the null or the alternative hypothesis can be true. Both cannot be true at the same time because the two hypotheses contradict each other.

Which Statement Below Is True