How does the concept of statistical significance translate into potential practical uses? Imagine that you are
testing the difference between an anti-depressant group (people taking anti-depressants to help with their
depression) and a placebo group (people not taking an anti-depressant to help with their depression). The
results indicate there is a significant difference between the two groups at a p<.05. The results of this study
suggest there is a 95% chance that you found a difference between the two groups and that taking an antidepressant is more helpful to treating depression than not taking an anti-depressant.
A study can be statistically significant but not very meaningful. This usually comes from statistical significance
being overused and conclusions drawn without meaning. For example, imagine that a study finds that people
with long hair do well on course exams. Despite the statistical significance of the results, this is not useful
information because there is no meaning in the results.
For this Discussion, you explain the difference between statistical significance and meaningfulness and
examine how understanding statistical significance will enhance your social work practice.
Required Readings:
Salkind, N. J., Frey, B. B. (2020c). Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics (7th ed.). Sage.
• Part IV, “Significantly Different: Using Inferential Statistics” (p. 165)
• Chapter 9, “Significantly Significant: What It Means for You and Me” (pp. 166–184)
Use APA 7th edition citation and references. Post your responses to the following:
A.
• Explain the difference between statistical significance and meaningfulness by using a social work example.
• Explain how an understanding of statistical significance will enhance your social work practice.
B.
• Describe two ways in which statistical analysis may enhance another practice
Sample Solution
