What does a p-value greater than 0.05 indicate about the groups in a statistical test?

What does a p-value greater than 0.05 indicate about the groups in a statistical test?

• A. The groups are statistically significant; reject the null
• B. The groups are not statistically significant; do not reject the null
• C. The null hypothesis is proven true
• D. The alternative hypothesis is proven true

Answer: (B)

A p-value shows how compatible the observed data are with the assumption that there is no difference between the groups. If that p-value is greater than 0.05, we do not have enough evidence at the 5% significance level to declare a difference as statistically significant, so we fail to reject the null hypothesis. This means the observed result could plausibly happen by chance under the null, given the data and method used. It does not prove the null hypothesis is true, nor does it prove the alternative is true. Non-significant results can occur for reasons like small sample size, high variability, or an inappropriate test, even when a real difference exists. In short, a p-value over 0.05 indicates insufficient evidence of a real effect at the chosen threshold.

A p-value shows how compatible the observed data are with the assumption that there is no difference between the groups. If that p-value is greater than 0.05, we do not have enough evidence at the 5% significance level to declare a difference as statistically significant, so we fail to reject the null hypothesis. This means the observed result could plausibly happen by chance under the null, given the data and method used. It does not prove the null hypothesis is true, nor does it prove the alternative is true. Non-significant results can occur for reasons like small sample size, high variability, or an inappropriate test, even when a real difference exists. In short, a p-value over 0.05 indicates insufficient evidence of a real effect at the chosen threshold.