P-Values are Random Variables

P-values are taught in introductory statistics classes in a way that confuses many of the students, leading to common misconceptions about their meaning. In this article, we argue that p-values should be taught through simulation, emphasizing that p-values are random variables. By means of elementar...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American statistician 2008-08, Vol.62 (3), p.242-245
Main Authors: Murdoch, Duncan J, Tsai, Yu-Ling, Adcock, James
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Approximation
Cumulative distribution functions
Empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF)
Exact sciences and technology
General topics
Histograms
Hypothesis testing
Mathematics
Multivariate analysis
Nonparametric inference
Null hypothesis
P values
Parametric inference
Probability and statistics
Random variables
Sample size
Sciences and techniques of general use
Simulation
Statistics
Teachers Corner
Teaching methods
Teaching statistics
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:P-values are taught in introductory statistics classes in a way that confuses many of the students, leading to common misconceptions about their meaning. In this article, we argue that p-values should be taught through simulation, emphasizing that p-values are random variables. By means of elementary examples we illustrate how to teach students valid interpretations of p-values and give them a deeper understanding of hypothesis testing.
ISSN:0003-1305
1537-2731
DOI:10.1198/000313008X332421