Statistical vs.

Practical
Significance
Statistical Significance
• Significant differences (i.e., reject the null
hypothesis) means that differences in group
means are not likely due to sampling error.
• The problem is that statistically significant
differences can be found even with very small
differences if the sample size is large enough.
Statistical Significance
• In fact, differences between any sample
means will be significant if the sample is large
enough.
• For example – men and women have
different average IQs
Practical Significance
• Practical (or clinical) significance asks the larger
question about differences
▫ “Are the differences between samples big enough
to have real meaning.”
• Although men and women undoubtedly have
different IQs, is that difference large enough to
have some practical implication