What does it mean when a result is statistically significant?

What does it mean when a result is statistically significant?

• A. It likely occurred by chance alone
• B. It indicates a true effect that is unlikely due to randomness
• C. It shows no difference between groups
• D. It confirms the hypothesis without further testing

Answer: (B)

Statistical significance indicates that the results of a study are unlikely to have occurred by chance, suggesting that there is a true effect or relationship present in the data. When a finding is statistically significant, it means that the evidence is strong enough to rule out random variation as the sole reason for the observed effect. Researchers typically use a predetermined threshold, often a p-value of less than 0.05, to determine whether the results are statistically significant. If the results meet this criterion, they suggest a high degree of confidence that the observed phenomenon reflects a genuine effect in the population being studied, rather than being a fluke or anomaly. This understanding is crucial for drawing valid conclusions from empirical data and for progressing in further research based on these findings.

Statistical significance indicates that the results of a study are unlikely to have occurred by chance, suggesting that there is a true effect or relationship present in the data. When a finding is statistically significant, it means that the evidence is strong enough to rule out random variation as the sole reason for the observed effect. Researchers typically use a predetermined threshold, often a p-value of less than 0.05, to determine whether the results are statistically significant. If the results meet this criterion, they suggest a high degree of confidence that the observed phenomenon reflects a genuine effect in the population being studied, rather than being a fluke or anomaly. This understanding is crucial for drawing valid conclusions from empirical data and for progressing in further research based on these findings.