The process of hypothesis testing starts with the assumption that ______.

A) the null hypothesis is yet to be defined
B) the null hypothesis is true
C) the alternative hypothesis is true unless the data proves otherwise
D) the research hypothesis is true

The process of hypothesis testing starts with the assumption that the null hypothesis is true until proven otherwise by the data. The alternative hypothesis is only considered if the data provides evidence against the null hypothesis. The research hypothesis is formulated based on prior theories, observations or exploratory analysis, but it is not assumed to be true at the outset of the hypothesis testing process.