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VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2023 ) > List of Articles

EDITORIAL

Interpretation of p-value: The Correct Way!

Snehali Majumder

Keywords : Interpretation, Null hypothesis, p-value

Citation Information : Majumder S. Interpretation of p-value: The Correct Way!. Indian J Respir Care 2023; 12 (1):1-2.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11010-1026

License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Published Online: 14-03-2023

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2023; The Author(s).


Abstract

The probability value (p-value) is used in hypothesis testing to assist in determining if the null hypothesis should be rejected. In a practical setting, the p-value helps to determine if an experiment is conducted and then compares the outcomes to what random chance may yield. In order to do it, researchers state a “null hypothesis” that they want to disapprove. Many researchers consider the p-value to be the essential summary of statistical analysis of their research data. Although it is undeniable that p-values are a very useful method for summarizing study results, it is also undeniable that p-values are frequently misused and misunderstood. Therefore p-value must be carefully interpreted based on the study design, sample size, comparability of study groups, and appropriateness of statistical tests. The statistically significant p-value should not be the sole criterion for accepting or rejecting the conclusions of any report or publication. Proper critical appreciation of research publications is a mandatory requirement before making clinical decisions based on them


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