A test of the statistical significance of the difference between two sample means results in a t value that is significant at the .01 level. Which of the following is not a correct interpretation of this finding?
A) The probability is 99 percent that the samples were not drawn from the same population.
B) The mean difference exceeds the mean difference we would find once in 100 samples if the population mean difference was zero.
C) The null hypothesis can be rejected at the .01 alpha level.
D) It is probable that the difference between the sample means reflects a true difference between the population means.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A) This choice incorrectly suggests a 99% probability that the samples come from different populations, which misinterprets the p-value. The correct interpretation of a significant t-test at the .01 level is that there is strong evidence against the null hypothesis, suggesting a statistically significant difference between the sample means, not a direct probability statement about the populations from which the samples were drawn.

A Test of the Statistical Significance of the Difference Between