Question

Why do the researchers say "failing to" reject the null instead of "accepting" the null hypothesis?

Answer 1

Failing to reject the null hypothesis is the more accurate way to describe the result of a hypothesis test. The null hypothesis is assumed to be true unless there is sufficient evidence to suggest otherwise.

Step-by-step explanation:

When researchers say 'failing to' reject the null hypothesis instead of 'accepting' it, it is because failing to reject the null hypothesis is the more accurate way to describe the result of a hypothesis test. The null hypothesis is assumed to be true unless there is sufficient evidence to suggest otherwise. When the p-value is not low enough to reject the null hypothesis, it means the data do not provide enough evidence to support the alternative hypothesis, but it does not mean that the null hypothesis is proven true.