statistical significance

statistical significance

Etymology: L, status, condition, significare, to signify

an interpretation of statistical data that indicates that an occurrence was probably the result of a causative factor and not simply a chance result. Statistical significance at the 1% level indicates a 1 in 100 probability that a result can be ascribed to chance.

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statistical significance,

n a difference of such magnitude between two statistics, computed from separate samples, that the probability of the value obtained will not occur by chance alone with significant frequency and hence can be attributed to something other than chance. In modern investigation the generally accepted value for significance must have a probability of occurrence by chance factors equal to or less than five times in 100 (
p < 0.05). Other significance levels commonly used are as follows: less than one chance in 100 (
p > 0.01), less than five chances in 1000 (
p < 0.005), and less than one chance in 1000 (
p < 0.001).

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statistical

pertaining to or emanating from statistics.

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statistical efficiency

between-test comparisons are based on the ratio of sample sizes required for the tests to have equal probabilities of detecting the same false null hypothesis; the more efficient test will have the smaller sample size.

statistical methods

procedures for collecting, classifying, summarizing, analyzing and making conclusions about, data. See also regression (4), path analysis, factor, discriminant analysis.

statistical significance

see significance.

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statistical significance

Significance Statistics A statement of the probability that an observation represents a true causal relationship and not a chance occurrence; the probability that an event or difference occurred as the result of an intervention–eg, a vaccine, rather than by chance alone; this probability is determined by using statistical tests to evaluate collected data. See Significance.