What does the null hypothesis (H0) typically state?

The null hypothesis, often denoted as H0, is a foundational concept in statistics and hypothesis testing. It provides a starting point for statistical analysis and is fundamentally a statement of no effect or no difference. By asserting that there is no relationship between two phenomena, the null hypothesis sets the stage to evaluate whether observed data provide sufficient evidence to reject this assumption in favor of an alternative hypothesis.

In hypothesis testing, researchers aim to determine whether there is enough statistical evidence to conclude that an effect or relationship exists. Accepting the null hypothesis implies that any observed variations in data can be attributed to random chance rather than a systematic relationship. This is crucial for establishing the baseline against which the significance of findings is measured. Thus, option B correctly reflects the essence of the null hypothesis as it encapsulates the idea that there is no relationship between two variables or phenomena being studied.