Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

An Efficient Single—Person Technique for Milk Sampling from Laboratory Mice
Published on: March 28, 2025
Common misinterpretations of statistical significance and P-values in dairy research
1Täwharau Ora-School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand 4442.
Abstract:
Careful communication of results is integral to dairy research. However, many published studies contain misinterpretation of the results of statistical analysis, which can lead to conclusions being drawn which are not consistent with the data. Many of these interpretations have arisen because of a focus on P-values rather than on the potential range of effects that are compatible with the study data. This review focuses on 3 misinterpretations: the use of levels of statistical significance to compare results between or within studies, overinterpretation of nonsignificant results, and the use of "trend" to describe results that are "close" to a significance threshold. All of these misinterpretations can be avoided by paying more attention to the range of effects that are compatible with the data. Such a focus will have many benefits-not least, making it clearer when studies have insufficient power to accurately characterize their outcomes. Focusing on compatible effects is not a panacea but will improve statistical inference and provide more thoughtful descriptions of study outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
P-value
P-value stands for the probability value. P-value is the probability that, if the null hypothesis is true, the results from another randomly selected sample will be as extreme or more extreme as the results obtained from the given sample.
A large P-value calculated from the data indicates to not reject the null hypothesis. But a higher P-value does not mean that the null hypothesis is true. The smaller the P-value, the more...
Statistical Significance
Significance Testing: Overview
Decision Making: P-value Method
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is proposed. The claim is based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to the claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses: a null hypothesis would be a neutral statement while the alternative hypothesis can...
Bioequivalence Data: Statistical Interpretation
Statistical Hypothesis Testing
Statistical significance measures the probability that an observed result occurred by chance. If this probability, known as...

