A researcher finds that men make more errors on a memory task than do women. After conducting the appropriate statistical test on this difference, he finds a probability level of less than .05. The researcher will probably conclude that
A) the difference represents a chance fluctuation.
B) the difference is statistically significant.
C) if he conducts the study again, there is a high probability that no difference would be found or that women would make more errors.
D) there is only a 5 in 100 chance that his finding represents a real difference between men and women.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A probability level of less than .05 (typically set at .05 or less) indicates that the difference is unlikely to be due to chance and is statistically significant. The researcher can reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference between men and women on the memory task. Option C is incorrect because statistical significance does not guarantee that the same result will be found in future studies. Option D is incorrect because it misconstrues the meaning of probability level - it means that there is a 95% chance that the finding is not due to chance.

A Researcher Finds That Men Make More Errors on a Memory