Authors
Scott A Cassidy, Ralitza Dimova, Benjamin Giguère, Jeffrey R Spence, David J Stanley
Publication date
2019/9
Journal
Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science
Volume
2
Issue
3
Pages
233-239
Publisher
Sage Publications
Description
Null-hypothesis significance testing (NHST) is commonly used in psychology; however, it is widely acknowledged that NHST is not well understood by either psychology professors or psychology students. In the current study, we investigated whether introduction-to-psychology textbooks accurately define and explain statistical significance. We examined 30 introductory-psychology textbooks, including the best-selling books from the United States and Canada, and found that 89% incorrectly defined or explained statistical significance. Incorrect definitions and explanations were most often consistent with the odds-against-chance fallacy. These results suggest that it is common for introduction-to-psychology students to be taught incorrect interpretations of statistical significance. We hope that our results will create awareness among authors of introductory-psychology books and provide the impetus for corrective action …
Total citations
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Scholar articles
SA Cassidy, R Dimova, B Giguère, JR Spence… - Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological …, 2019