Aspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase. Researchers discovered a new drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase more effectively. If they report that the difference between aspirin and the new drug is statistically significant, it can be assumed that they:

Question

Aspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase.  Researchers discovered a new drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase more effectively.  If they report that the difference between aspirin and the new drug is statistically significant, it can be assumed that they:

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11ecba2d_0e8e_d938_a3bf_91175b1f717e_MD0008_00 A hypothesis test is performed to assess the validity of a claim made about 2 groups. The null hypothesis (H₀) theorizes that there is no difference between these 2 groups. In contrast, the alternative hypothesis (H_A) rivals the null by claiming that a difference does exist. p-values evaluate how well the data support H₀, assuming H₀ is true. The statistical significance of the results is determined by whether the p-value is equal to or less than α, the predetermined level of significance. In general, α is set to equal 0.05, which means that p-values ≤0.05 are considered statistically significant. The researchers found that the new drug they discovered inhibits cyclooxygenase more effectively than aspirin does. To arrive at this result, they first established the following hypotheses: H₀: The inhibition of cyclooxygenase by the new drug will not differ from that of aspirin. H_A: The inhibition of cyclooxygenase by the new drug will differ from that of aspirin. The researchers' claim of statistical significance means that the resultant p-value they obtained was ≤α. Therefore, H₀ is false. They rejected a false H₀ as there was a true difference between the groups (H_A). (Choice A) Rejecting a true null hypothesis (type I error) leads to the incorrect conclusion that there is a difference between groups. In reality, there is no difference between groups. (Choice C) Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (type II error) leads to the erroneous conclusion that there is no difference between groups. In reality, there is a difference between groups. (Choice D) Failing to reject a true null hypothesis leads to the correct conclusion that there is no difference between groups. However, the null hypothesis is false in this case and was rejected as a result. Educational objective: The null hypothesis (H₀) theorizes that there is no difference between 2 groups, but the alternative hypothesis (H_A) rivals the null by supposing that a difference does exist. The significance of the results is then determined by whether a p-value is equal to or less than α, the predetermined level of significance.

Aspirin Inhibits the Enzyme Cyclooxygenase