Exploring P-Values

By Learn Statistics Easily

What Are P-Values?

[{"selector":"#anim-67c52c53-9f0e-4e2b-b072-da6e649903b4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] P-values measure evidence against the null hypothesis in statistical tests.

Null vs. Alternative Hypotheses

[{"selector":"#anim-42156b96-14cc-4420-965c-c0ab62365442 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Understand the difference between null (H0) and alternative hypotheses (H1) in research.

Significance Level Meaning

[{"selector":"#anim-27da479b-64b0-4ea1-928b-5bb1613e7dc1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The Role of Alpha (α): Alpha sets the threshold for rejecting the null hypothesis. Learn how to choose it.

Interpreting P-Values

[{"selector":"#anim-0cc0ebda-d854-424c-a4a6-365f09cb331c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The p-value quantifies the chance of obtaining a result as extreme as the one observed.

Statistical Significance

[{"selector":"#anim-b0be89d1-d2ba-4c8b-a416-cdc1e85a0d46 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A p-value less than or equal to alpha indicates a statistically significant result.

The Tea Tasting Experiment

[{"selector":"#anim-93cab6b3-cbaf-48c2-834e-0cf2a5dd6c60 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Analyze how Muriel Bristol's tea test illustrates the practical use of p-values.

Deciphering the Experiment

[{"selector":"#anim-6b1f3401-9367-4b4a-a881-340c0bff54b2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Muriel identified all cups correctly. What's the statistical significance?

Implications of P-Value

[{"selector":"#anim-b96bdaae-ab33-4720-91a7-95d0e6bb57aa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A low p-value refutes the null hypothesis, but what more does it tell us?

Choosing the Significance Level

[{"selector":"#anim-ff5117f2-fcd2-44ad-a602-e82a8f4315e0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The choice of alpha affects the interpretation of your results. See how.

Key Insights

[{"selector":"#anim-0e2f6619-e1b0-4b53-b86d-e572b311ee6e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Reflect on how p-values enrich our understanding of data.

P-Values in Daily Life

[{"selector":"#anim-a6892099-2f9c-478d-9013-6f4cef5987b9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] See how p-values influence decisions in science, medicine, and more.

Continue Exploring

[{"selector":"#anim-0d19e46a-e307-4d68-913a-d76257715a14 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Use this knowledge as a starting point to delve even further into statistics.

Deepen Your Understanding

[{"selector":"#anim-a79f99f0-5145-4b43-84e9-48cdea5d1842 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0302869668521453e-13%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Ready to explore more? Access the complete article and expand your knowledge.