The definition is wrong, as is the example. The probability that the results were due to chance was high enough to conclude that the two drugs probably did not differ in causing blood pressure problems. In the study analysis, these results were not considered to be statistically significant because p=0.2. Researchers generally believe the results are probably true if the statistical significance is a P-value less than 0.05 (p<.05).Įxample: For example, results from a research study indicated that people who had dementia with agitation had a slightly lower rate of blood pressure problems when they took Drug A compared to when they took Drug B. The smaller the P-value, the less likely it is that the results are due to chance (and more likely that the results are true). Statistical significance is usually expressed as a P-value.

Statistical significance is calculated as the probability that an effect observed in a research study is occurring because of chance. would say, bad meaning bad not bad meaning good.ĭeborah Mayo points to this terrible, terrible definition of statistical significance from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:ĭefinition: A mathematical technique to measure whether the results of a study are likely to be true.

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