Alpha level

Definition

The alpha level, also known as the significance level, is a predetermined threshold used to determine statistical significance in psychological research. An alpha level of 0.05 implies that there is a 5% chance of obtaining results as extreme or more extreme than the observed results by chance alone.

Related terms

Type I Error: This occurs when a researcher rejects the null hypothesis when it is actually true. It's like accusing someone of cheating in a game when they didn't actually cheat.

Null Hypothesis:

This is the assumption made in statistical testing that there is no relationship between variables or no difference between groups. It's like assuming there is no effect of studying for an exam on test scores.

Statistical Significance:

This refers to the likelihood that the observed results are not due to chance alone. It's like finding out that winning first place in a race was not just luck but because you trained hard and were faster than everyone else.