What does an alternative hypothesis suggest in research?

An alternative hypothesis suggests that there is a relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable in research. It posits that changes in the independent variable will lead to changes in the dependent variable, indicating that a correlation or effect exists. This hypothesis serves as the opposite of the null hypothesis, which claims that there is no relationship or effect.

In the context of scientific research, formulating an alternative hypothesis is essential as it sets the framework for conducting experiments and analyzing data. Researchers use this hypothesis to guide their experiments and seek evidence to either support or refute it, ultimately leading to conclusions about the nature of the relationship between the variables being studied.