Hypothesis testing between two sample means produces a p-value of 0.35. Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this result?
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- The two sample means tested are not the same
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- The two sample means tested are the same
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- The probablility that the sample means are the same is 35%
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- There is no evidence to suggest any difference between the sample means
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- Increasing the sample size would have no affect on the significance level of the results
0 voters
EXP:
The most accurate conclusion that can be drawn from a p-value equals 0.35 is that there is insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is that there is no difference between the sample means. The conclusion that the means are the same is incorrect as proof would require further testing (utilising all members of the population). The p-value represents the type 1 error rate, or the rate of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true. The significance of the result in studies with larger sample sizes cannot be guaranteed from the results of previous trials. Larger studies may or may not find a significant difference.