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The significance of "nonsignificance"
Author(s) -
Mainland Donald
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt196345580
Subject(s) - verdict , confusion , ambiguity , exposition (narrative) , interpretation (philosophy) , action (physics) , psychology , epistemology , law , philosophy , linguistics , political science , psychoanalysis , literature , art , physics , quantum mechanics
Although statistical textbooks have for a long time asserted that "not significant" merely implies "not proven," investigators still display confusion regarding the interpretation of the verdict. This appears to be due to the ambiguity of the term "significance," to inadequate exposition, and especially to the behavior of textbook writers who in the analysis of data act as if "nat significant" means "nonexistent" or "unimportant." Appropriate action after a verdict of "nonsignificance" depends on many circumstances and requires much thought. "Significance" tests often could be, and in some instances should be, avoided; then "nonsignificance" would cease to he a serious problem.