Chapter: Section: Home | Previous Section | Next Section Statistical Literacy
Author(s)
David Lane
Prerequisites
Interpreting Non-Significant Results
Research in March, 2012 reported here found evidence for the existence of the Higgs Boson particle. However, the evidence for the existence of the particle was not statistically significant.
Did the researchers conclude that their investigation had been a failure or did they conclude they have evidence of the particle, just not strong enough evidence to draw a confident conclusion?
What do you think?
One of the investigators stated, "We see some tantalizing evidence but not significant enough to make a stronger statement." Therefore, they were encouraged by the result. In a subsequent study, the evidence was significant. |