Short Answer

Suppose a researcher studying the correlation between two psychological variables obtains a computed pp-value of 0.0550.055. Explain why this specific value leads to a different decision about the null hypothesis compared to a computed pp-value of 0.0500.050, referencing the significance threshold.

Question: Suppose a researcher studying the correlation between two psychological variables obtains a computed pp-value of 0.0550.055. Explain why this specific value leads to a different decision about the null hypothesis compared to a computed pp-value of 0.0500.050, referencing the significance threshold.

Sample answer: The standard threshold for rejecting the null hypothesis is a pp-value less than or equal to 0.050.05. A computed pp-value of 0.0500.050 meets this strict threshold, allowing the researcher to reject the null hypothesis. However, a pp-value of 0.0550.055 exceeds 0.050.05, requiring the researcher to retain the null hypothesis due to insufficient evidence.

Key points:

  • Recognize the alpha level of 0.050.05 as the boundary for statistical significance.
  • Contrast p=0.050p = 0.050 (reject the null hypothesis) with p=0.055p = 0.055 (retain the null hypothesis).
  • Explain that any pp-value greater than 0.050.05 indicates insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis.

Rubric: Award full credit if the answer: 1) identifies 0.050.05 as the critical threshold/boundary for significance; 2) states that 0.0500.050 meets this threshold (p0.05p \le 0.05) and leads to rejecting the null hypothesis; and 3) states that 0.0550.055 exceeds this threshold (p>0.05p > 0.05) and leads to retaining the null hypothesis.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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