There are no alternative hypotheses in tests of null hypotheses

Null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST) is typically taught by first posing a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis. This conception is sadly erroneous as there is no alternative hypothesis in the NHST. This misconception generated erroneous interpretations of the NHST procedures, and the fallacies that were deduced from this misconception attracted much attention in deterring the use of NHST. Herein, it is reminded that there is just one hypothesis in these procedures. Additionally, procedures accompanied by a power analysis and a threshold for type-II errors are actually a different inferential procedure that could be called dual hypotheses statistical testing (DHST). The source of confusions in teaching NHST may be found in Aristotle's axiom of excluded middle. In empirical sciences, in addition to the falsity or veracity of assertions, we must consider the inconclusiveness of observations, which is what is rejected by the NHST.

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Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Psychology
Published
2025-11-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1708313
Primary Topic
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Type
article
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article

There are no alternative hypotheses in tests of null hypotheses

Denis Cousineau
Frontiers in Psychology
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
article

There are no alternative hypotheses in tests of null hypotheses

Denis Cousineau
article en

Abstract

Null hypothesis statistical testing (NHST) is typically taught by first posing a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis. This conception is sadly erroneous as there is no alternative hypothesis in the NHST. This misconception generated erroneous interpretations of the NHST procedures, and the fallacies that were deduced from this misconception attracted much attention in deterring the use of NHST. Herein, it is reminded that there is just one hypothesis in these procedures. Additionally, procedures accompanied by a power analysis and a threshold for type-II errors are actually a different inferential procedure that could be called dual hypotheses statistical testing (DHST). The source of confusions in teaching NHST may be found in Aristotle's axiom of excluded middle. In empirical sciences, in addition to the falsity or veracity of assertions, we must consider the inconclusiveness of observations, which is what is rejected by the NHST.

Frontiers in PsychologyVol. 16
University of Ottawa (CA), Ottawa University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
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