Question

In regard to scientific findings, which of the following most accurately states what the word ‘significant’ means? (E.g., “This study found a significant rise in cardiovascular disease with increasing protein consumption.”)

A) It means that a very large effect was found

B) It means that the effect that was found, even though it may be small, was very probably not due to chance

C) It means that the consequences for society will likely be very great

D) It means that the results may well have the effect of forcing modifications to accepted scientific theory

Answer 1

In regard to scientific findings, which of the following most accurately states what the word ‘significant’ means

(D)It means that the results may well have the effect of forcing modifications to accepted scientific theory

• In scientific findings the significant term is used in the sense of P value i.e., the probability of obtaining results in a hypothesis test statistically against a null hypothesis, in which even if result is less than 0.05, the impact is implicit.
• If the p-value is less than 0.05, then it is an evidence against the null hypothesis.
• As a result, the null hypothesis will be rejected and alternative hypothesis will be accepted.
• As the p-value becomes smaller, the evidence becomes greater against the null hypothesis.