Statistical hypothesis testing is a method used to determine if there is enough evidence to support a specific claim about a population. It involves formulating two competing statements: the null hypothesis, which suggests no effect or difference, and the alternative hypothesis, which indicates the presence of an effect or difference. Researchers collect data and use statistical techniques to evaluate these hypotheses. The process includes calculating a test statistic and comparing it to a critical value or p-value to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis. This helps researchers make informed conclusions based on sample data, guiding decisions in fields like medicine, psychology, and economics.