Which statement correctly describes a positive declaration in research hypotheses?

• A. The infant mortality rate is higher in one region than another
• B. There is no difference between infant mortality rates
• C. The infant mortality rate is the same across all regions
• D. The data suggest no geographic pattern in mortality

Answer: (C)

In hypothesis testing, a positive declaration is a definite, testable claim about what would be observed in the population. Saying the infant mortality rate is the same across all regions makes a clear, concrete claim about equality of rates that you can evaluate with data by comparing regional rates. It sets up a specific condition that you would support if the data show no difference, or refute if differences emerge.

The other statements either describe a difference with a direction (which is a different kind of claim), or express no difference in a way that’s more about pattern or absence rather than a straightforward, testable parameter equality. So the statement asserting equality across regions best fits the idea of a positive, testable declaration about the population.