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P Value and Its Application (25-3) Biostatistics

This document discusses p-values and their applications in statistical testing. It defines a p-value as the probability of obtaining a result as extreme or more extreme than what was observed in a sample, given that the null hypothesis is true. It explains that p-values are used to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis by comparing the p-value to the significance level α. An example is provided to illustrate how to calculate a p-value and use it to test whether a drug is effective in reducing infarct size based on sample data.

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42 views

P Value and Its Application (25-3) Biostatistics

This document discusses p-values and their applications in statistical testing. It defines a p-value as the probability of obtaining a result as extreme or more extreme than what was observed in a sample, given that the null hypothesis is true. It explains that p-values are used to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis by comparing the p-value to the significance level α. An example is provided to illustrate how to calculate a p-value and use it to test whether a drug is effective in reducing infarct size based on sample data.

Uploaded by

Blackstar
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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P value and its applications

1
P value

P value: The area that falls in the tail beyond the


value of the test statistic. A p value tells you the
chance of getting a statistics as extreme or more
extreme that the one calculated for the sample.

2
Test decisions with p values
• The decision about whether there is enough
evidence to reject the null hypothesis can be
made by comparing the p value to the value of α
(the level of significance).
• If p value ≤ α, reject the null hypothesis
• If p value> α, fail to reject the null hypothesis

3
Understanding p value
The p value can also be thought of as the
probability of obtaining a result as extreme
as or more extreme than the actual
sample value obtained give that the null
hypothesis is true.

4
Example 1
A topic of recent clinical interest is the
possibility of using drugs to reduce infarct
size in those patients who have had a MI
within the past 24 hrs. suppose we know
that in untreated patients the mean infarct
size is 25 with a standard deviation of 10.
Furthermore, in 50 patients treated with
the drug, the mean infarct size is 16. Is the
drug effective in reducing infarct size?
5
Example 1 cont..
1. Null hypothesis: µ ≥ 25
Alternate hypothesis: µ<25
2. α=5%
3. Test statistics: Z=X- µ /δ/√n
X=16, δ =10, n=50
Z=16-25/10/ √ 50 = -9/10*7.07
Z= -6.36

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Example 1 cont..
4. Now we compute the p value: Since the
alternate hypothesis µ<25 indicates a one
tailed test, we find the probability that Z-
score takes a value as or more extreme
than the test statistic. i.e.

7
Example 1 cont..
5. Since the p value (<.001) is less than
α=0.05 so we reject the null hypothesis
and have enough evidence to conclude
that the drug is effective in reducing the
infarct size.

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