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MENTAL MODEL · M8136

Null Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis
TechnicalHigh supportScientific Methodology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

The null hypothesis (often denoted H₀) is a statistical hypothesis that states there is no significant difference or relationship between variables. It serves as a default assumption that researchers aim to test against an alternative hypothesis.

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In statistical testing, the null hypothesis is used as a starting point to determine whether observed data provide sufficient evidence to reject it in favor of an alternative hypothesis.

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In statistics, one first assumes 'no effect/no association' (H₀), then calculates the probability (p-value) of obtaining the current results by chance, given that H₀ is true. Only when the evidence is strong enough, such that the observed result is unlikely under H₀, do we reject H₀. This is an application of falsification logic in inference.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_hypothesisZH · Explicit
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