Choosing significance

Probability Level 1

A group of medical researchers is developing a new flu vaccine. They are about to begin a human trial to test the efficacy of the vaccine. There are a number of concerns about beginning this study:

  • If approved, the vaccine will be widely distributed. It is important that the researchers are sure of their results.

  • Money is not an object in determining how much data should be collected for their study.

  • There is concern among advocacy groups that the vaccine could have some harmful effects. The researchers would like to allay these fears as much as possible with solid data.

Based on these concerns, which is the most appropriate level of significance for the researchers to use in this study?

α = 0.001 \alpha = 0.001 α = 0.05 \alpha = 0.05 α = 0.10 \alpha = 0.10 α = 0.25 \alpha = 0.25

Andy Hayes by Andy Hayes , 38, USA

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1 solution

Andy Hayes
Jan 26, 2017

Relevant wiki: Statistical Significance

The level of significance should be set as low as possible. This ensures the smallest chance of false conclusions. In addition, it is mentioned that money is no object in collecting data, so there should be no trouble in collecting enough data to achieve this level of significance. Thus, the most appropriate level of significance among the options given is α = 0.001 . \boxed{\alpha=0.001}.

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