This document discusses the differences between statistical significance and practical significance. Statistical significance refers to whether a result is likely due to chance based on the sample size, while practical significance refers to how meaningful the results are in a real-world context based on factors like costs and time. While statistical significance does not guarantee practical significance, practically significant results must also be statistically significant. The example given compares the statistical versus practical significance of a 3% difference found in a survey of college students' participation in sports by gender, depending on the sample size and whether decisions would be made based on the results.
This document discusses the differences between statistical significance and practical significance. Statistical significance refers to whether a result is likely due to chance based on the sample size, while practical significance refers to how meaningful the results are in a real-world context based on factors like costs and time. While statistical significance does not guarantee practical significance, practically significant results must also be statistically significant. The example given compares the statistical versus practical significance of a 3% difference found in a survey of college students' participation in sports by gender, depending on the sample size and whether decisions would be made based on the results.
This document discusses the differences between statistical significance and practical significance. Statistical significance refers to whether a result is likely due to chance based on the sample size, while practical significance refers to how meaningful the results are in a real-world context based on factors like costs and time. While statistical significance does not guarantee practical significance, practically significant results must also be statistically significant. The example given compares the statistical versus practical significance of a 3% difference found in a survey of college students' participation in sports by gender, depending on the sample size and whether decisions would be made based on the results.
i. Statistical significance denotes to the doubtfulness that the result is
achieved by chance, i.e., probability of correlation between two variables exists. Practical significance denotes to the correlation between the real world situation and the variables. ii. Statistical significance depends upon the size of the sample whereas, practical significance depends upon objective, external factors like cost, time, etc. iii. Statistical significance does not assurance practical significance, but in case of practically significant data must be statistically significant.
For example
In a survey decided by collage-authority of a city on contribution in
sports by collage-going boys and girls, they found that 60% of boys and 57% of girls contribute in sports. Thus from the survey it is observed that a 3% difference between collage-going boy and girl- contribution in sports. Now the argument is how much significance this 3% difference has practically as well as statistically. Statistical significance of this 3% depends upon the size of the sample data used to determine the percentage of contribution in sports. If, it is a sufficiently large sample data size used to determine the percentage, then the difference is statistically significant, and if a very small sample data size is used then the difference is statistically insignificant. So we can say that, in case of bigger sample data size, more statistical significance of a computed figure. On the other hand practical significance of this 3% difference rises if decision is made or action is taken or needs to be taken on the basis of this 3% difference. If cost permits, the collage may consider promoting girl students participation in sports in order to bring about more gender parity in sports. In this case the 3% difference though small, may be practically significant.