Suppose a test of significance desires to see if there is a difference in mean SSHA scores between men and women. Which is the appropriate alternative hypothesis? a. The population mean for women equals the population mean for men.
b. The population mean for women does not equal the population mean for men.
c. The population mean for women is greater than the population mean for men.
d. The population mean for women is less than the population mean for men.

The correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

A null hypothesis is a sort of hypothesis used in statistics that intends that no statistical significance exists in a set of given observations.  

It is a hypothesis of no difference.

It is typically the hypothesis a scientist or experimenter will attempt to refute or discard. It is denoted by H₀.

For instance, H₀: µ = µ₀, where µ₀ is some null value or some claimed value.

Whereas, the alternate hypothesis is the contradicting statement to the null hypothesis.

The alternate hypothesis describes direction of the hypothesis test, i.e. if the test is left tailed, right tailed or two tailed.

It is also known as the research hypothesis and is denoted by Hₐ.

The research statement is:

"If there is a difference in mean SSHA scores between men and women."

Then the appropriate alternative hypothesis will be:

Hₐ: The population mean for women does not equal the population mean for men, i.e. μ₁ ≠ μ₂

The correct option is b.