Intermediate
Technical
IVT
statistical significance
A determination that observed differences in psychiatric research results are unlikely due to chance alone, typically indicated by p-values less than 0.05.
Full Definition
Statistical significance is a mathematical determination that the observed differences between treatment groups in a psychiatric study are unlikely to have occurred by chance alone. Conventionally set at p < 0.05, statistical significance indicates less than a 5% probability that the observed results would occur if there were truly no treatment effect. However, statistical significance does not necessarily imply clinical significance or practical importance of the findings.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from clinical significance in research reporting.
In Context
- "The primary endpoint achieved statistical significance with p = 0.023." — Results reporting
- "Despite statistical significance, the clinical meaningfulness of the small difference remains unclear." — Discussion of limitations
Also known as
significance
p-value significance
Contrasted with
non-significance
statistical non-significance
Don't confuse with
clinical significance
practical significance