Peer Review Quick Guide
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Reporting Statistical Significance

Statistical significance is an indicator researchers use to determine the probability that a relationship exist between variables is real instead of just a chance occurrence. Tests for statistical significance tell us what the probability is that we would be making an error if we assume that we have found that a relationship exists. (Test of Statistical Significance, 2006). Researchers use a predetermined p-value to specify the probability of assuming that a relationship exists when the evidence is that it does not (Type I error).

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***Developed 2006 by the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, Northern Illinois University.