noun · academic

p-value

/ˌpiːˈvæljuː/p·VAL·ue

Band 7+speakingtask2

the probability, under a specified statistical model (usually the null hypothesis), of obtaining a result equal to or more extreme than what was actually observed

Examples

The effect was reported as significant because the p-value was 0.03.

A low p-value suggests the observed data are unlikely under the null hypothesis.

Be cautious: a p-value does not measure the practical importance of a result.

Band 8 sentence

Although the p-value fell below 0.05, the effect size was small and of limited practical importance.

Collocations

  • p-value < 0.05
  • report a p-value

Word family

significance (statistical) nounalpha noun

Common mistakes

p valuep-value

the p-value are smallthe p-values are small

Say it for a higher band

5probability6significance7+p-value

Synonyms

probability (in general speech)

Easily confused

significance level

Researchers typically choose a significance level of 0.05 before collecting data.

Related words

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In Science & Research

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