Question

What should you conclude if your p-value is greater than the level of significance (alpha)?

a) conclude that chance alone produced the observed results

b) do not reject the null hypothesis

c) accept the null hypothesis

d) accept the alternative hypothesis

Answer 1

Ans:

a) conclude that chance alone produced the observed results

This is the most suitable answer.

Since large p-value implies that the results are consistent with the null hypothesis. Hence the majority of the result are due to of chance alone.

( in general options a) , b) and c) are equivalent and correct, but for better precision a) is more appropriate.

b) do not reject the null hypothesis

The results are consistent with the null hypothesi it means that the null hypothesis in favour of chance alone is not rejected.

c) accept the null hypothesis

your p-value is greater than the level of significance indivates there is insufficients evidence to reject null hypotheisi .

d) accept the alternative hypothesis:

Incorrect . the alternative  hypothesis of chance is not only explanation of the data is rejected .