statistically significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "statistically significant" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to data that is likely to be accurate and representative of the population as a whole. For example, "This study found a statistically significant correlation between obesity and heart disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statistically significant.

The New Yorker

ns, not statistically significant.

Nature

, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05).

Nature

The difference was statistically significant.

The New York Times

These are statistically significant effects.

The Guardian

The findings are statistically significant!

Harvard Business Review

NS, no statistically significant difference.

Nature

These results were statistically significant.

The Washington Post

This difference is statistically significant.

Harvard Business Review

p < 0.05 means statistically significant.

Nature

Each correlogram was statistically significant.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting statistical results, always include the p-value and sample size along with the statement that the results are "statistically significant". This provides context and allows readers to assess the strength of the evidence.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "statistically significant" automatically implies practical importance or real-world relevance. A small effect size can be statistically significant with a large enough sample size, but it may not have meaningful implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "statistically significant" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a result is unlikely to have occurred by chance. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

26%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "statistically significant" is a cornerstone of research, indicating that results are unlikely due to chance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse fields. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, it signals reliable findings supported by rigorous data analysis. While "statistically significant" implies reliability, it's crucial to avoid equating it with practical importance. Alternatives like "significantly different" or "beyond random chance" offer nuanced ways to convey the same meaning. Remember to provide p-values and sample sizes for context and avoid assuming real-world relevance solely based on statistical significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant at p less than 0.05

Replaces the adjective with a specific statistical threshold.

Statistically meaningful

Emphasizes the practical importance of the statistical finding.

Significantly different

Highlights that observed differences are unlikely due to chance.

Beyond random chance

Focuses on the improbability of the result occurring randomly.

Reliably observed

Indicates the consistency and trustworthiness of the finding.

With statistical confidence

Highlights the level of certainty associated with the result.

Evidentially supported

Emphasizes the empirical evidence supporting the significance.

Demonstrates a noteworthy effect

Focuses on the impact or consequence of the statistically significant result.

Shows a clear pattern

Highlights the presence of a non-random and interpretable pattern in the data.

Not attributable to chance

Directly states that the result is unlikely due to random variation.

FAQs

How is "statistically significant" used in research?

In research, "statistically significant" indicates that the observed results are unlikely to have occurred by chance. It's a threshold researchers use to determine if the evidence supports their hypothesis.

What does it mean if a study's findings are not "statistically significant"?

If a study's findings are not "statistically significant", it suggests that the observed results could be due to random variation or chance. It doesn't necessarily mean there's no effect, but the evidence isn't strong enough to rule out chance as an explanation.

What are some alternatives to saying "statistically significant"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly different", "beyond random chance", or "reliably observed" depending on the context.

How do I determine if a result is "statistically significant"?

A result is typically considered "statistically significant" if the p-value is less than or equal to a predetermined significance level (alpha), commonly 0.05. This threshold indicates a 5% or less chance that the results are due to random chance.