Table : TABLE 5-2. Hypothesis Testing: Hypotheses and Decisions The null hypothesis posits no difference, on average, whereas the research hypothesis posits a difference of some kind. There are only two decisions we can make. We can fail to reject the null hypothesis if the research hypothesis is not supported, or we can reject the null hypothesis if the research hypothesis is supported.
Hypothesis
Decision
Null hypothesis
No change or difference
Fail to reject the null hypothesis (if research hypothesis is not supported)
Research hypothesis
Change or difference
Reject the null hypothesis (if research hypothesis is supported)