What does a null hypothesis assert about the variables in a study?

A null hypothesis asserts that there is no effect or no relationship between the variables being studied. This statement serves as a foundational concept in hypothesis testing, allowing researchers to establish a baseline or default position that indicates no changes are occurring as a result of the independent variable. In scientific research, the null hypothesis is articulated in terms of the absence of an observed effect, which helps guide the analysis of data and evaluation of the hypothesis through statistical methods.

In practice, if researchers find sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis, it suggests that there may be a statistically significant effect or relationship between the variables, warranting further investigation into the nature of that relationship. This logical framework provides a structured approach to determining the validity of the findings while minimizing the potential for random chance to influence results.