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The Rainmaker

04/03/11 11:42 PM

#3947 RE: The Rainmaker #3946

What is "Statistical Significance" (p-value)?

Specifically, the p-value represents the probability of error that is involved in accepting our observed result as valid

For example, a p-value of .05 (i.e.,1/20) indicates that there is a 5% probability that the relation between the variables found in our sample is a "fluke."

In many areas of research, the p-value of .05 is customarily treated as a "border-line acceptable" error level.

A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis of the sensitivity and specificity was shown to have an associated "p value" of less than .001, resulting in a statistically significant finding of CyPath(R)'s ability to discriminate between high-risk and cancer groups.