Question

You are examining results that are comparing three different educational degrees in nursing (diploma, ADN, and BSN) to their reported levels of commitment to the profession.  The researcher set the alpha level (the level of statistical significance) prior to the study at p< 0.05.

Which of the findings below demonstrate statistical significance, based on the researcher's alpha level?

a) No decision can be made as to whether a significant difference was found among diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate graduates' scores.

b) A significant difference was found among diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate graduates' scores (r =.112,  p = .06).

c) A significant difference was found among diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate graduates' scores (r =.40,  p = .001).

Answer 1

Answer is C

Null Hypothesis ( Ho )

Also called statistical hypothesis & used for statistical testing & interpretation of statistical outcome.

It started the existence of no relationship between the dependent & independent variables

Eg : There is no incidence of smoking & coronary artery disease.

Alpha & Beta Error

Reality	Accept Ho	Reject Ho
Ho ( True )	Correct decision	Type I error ( Alpha error )
Ho ( false )	Type II error ( beta error )	Correct decision

Level of significance

Probability of making type I error is called level of significance.

It is represented by p or sign of alpha.

In other words, level of significance is probability of rejecting null hypothesis when it is true.

Here it is 0.05 ( 5% ). A significance level of 0.05 means that the researcher is willing to take risk being wrong 5% of the item i.e 5 times out of 100, when rejecting the null hypothesis.

So here option C shows a statistical significance, which is coming under the researchers alpha / p level. Researcher's p level was 0.05 & the 3rd findings p level is 0.01, there the bias is 1 times out of 100. Researcher's set limit was 5 times out of 100.