If we run a chi-square test on a one-way classification, a significant result tells us that
A) science has triumphed over evil.
B) the categories are evenly represented in the data.
C) the frequencies differ by category.
D) we have made an error.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A significant result in a chi-square test on a one-way classification tells us that the frequencies (i.e. number of observations) differ by category. This means that the distribution of values across the different categories is not the same and that there is an association between the variable being measured and the categories within which it is being classified. Option A is irrelevant and option B is not necessarily true - the categories could be unevenly represented but still not differ significantly in frequency. Option D is also not relevant, as a significant result only tells us that there is a statistically significant difference between the observed and expected frequencies, but it doesn't mean that we have made an error.

If We Run a Chi-Square Test on a One-Way Classification