SOCW 4002: Data Analysis: Statistical Significance and Null Hypothesis

Another way to think of statistical significance is the risk associated with not being 100% positive that what occurred in an experiment is a result of what you did or what was tested. Therefore, it is the degree of risk you are willing to take to feel confident that there is a difference.

The null hypothesis states that there is no difference between the two things you seek to compare. You reject the null hypothesis when you have a statistically significant finding (.05 and .01), because there is only a 5% or 1% chance that you are wrong. In other words, you are 95% or 99% confident that your results are accurate. Nevertheless, as you can see, you still have taken a 5% or 1% risk that you are incorrect.

For this Assignment, you complete the Statistical Significance and Null Hypothesis Worksheet and write a short paper.

To prepare:

• Complete the Statistical Significance and Null Hypothesis Worksheet in the Learning Resources.

Submit the completed Statistical Significance and Null Hypothesis Worksheet and a 1- to 2-page paper in which you respond to the following:

• Describe the level of statistical significance.
• Describe a null hypothesis.
• Identify Type I and Type II errors, and explain which error you think is worse.