Level of Significance in Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis testing is a widespread scientific process used across statistical and social science disciplines. In the study of statistics, a statistically significant result (or one with statistical significance) in a hypothesis test is achieved when the p-value is less than the defined significance level. The p-value is the probability of obtaining a test statistic or sample result as extreme as or more extreme than the one observed in the study whereas the significance level or alpha tells a researcher how extreme results must be in order to reject the null hypothesis. In other words, if the p-value is equal to or less than the defined significance level (typically denoted by ÃŽ ±), the researcher can safely assume that the observed data are inconsistent with the assumption that the null hypothesis is true, meaning that the null hypothesis, or premise that there is no relationship between the tested variables, can be rejected. By rejecting or disproving the null hypothesis, a researcher is concluding that there is a scientific basis for the belief is some relationship between the variables and that the results were not due to sampling error or chance. While rejecting the null hypothesis is a central goal in most scientific study, it is important to note that the rejection of the null hypothesis is not equivalent to the proof of the researcher’s alternative hypothesis. Statistical Significant Results and Significance Level The concept of statistical significance is fundamental to hypothesis testing. In a study that involves drawing a random sample from a larger population in an effort to prove some result that can be applied to the population as a whole, there is the constant potential for the study data to be a result of sampling error or simple coincidence or chance. By determining a significance level and testing the p-value against it, a researcher can confidently uphold or reject the null hypothesis. The significance level, in the simplest of terms, is the threshold probability of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis when it is in fact true. This is also known as the type I error rate. The significance level or alpha is therefore associated with the overall confidence level of the test, meaning that the higher the value of alpha, the greater the confidence in the test. Type I Errors and Level of Significance A type I error, or an error of the first kind, occurs when the null hypothesis is rejected when in reality it is true. In other words, a type I error is comparable to a false positive. Type I errors are controlled by defining an appropriate level of significance. Best practice in scientific hypothesis testing calls for selecting a significance level before data collection even begins. The most common significance level is 0.05 (or 5%) which means that there is a 5% probability that the test will suffer a type I error by rejecting a true null hypothesis. This significance level conversely translates to a 95% level of confidence, meaning that over a series of hypothesis tests, 95% will not result in a type I error.

The Ethics Of Physician Assisted Suicide - 926 Words

According to Mirror News, In October of 2014 a women named Charlotte Fitzmaurice Wise was watching her daughter Nancy Fitzmaurice suffer from pain. She was born with Hydrocephalus and septicaemia which made it impossible for her to walk, talk, eat or drink. She required around the clock care and was fed through tubes. As time went on her health worsened and she would scream in pain even though she was injected with morphine. Wise believed that her daughter was in excruciating pain and deserved to be at peace. Wise submitted an application to end her daughter’s misery, and soon her application would be approved. She was able to relieve her daughter from pain, and made it legal in the United Kingdom for a parent to end their critically ill child’s life if they are disable and can’t speak for themselves. People have been questioning the ethics of physician assisted suicide since the late 18th century. According to medicinenet the definition of physician assisted suicide is â€Å"the voluntary termination of one s own life by administrating a lethal substance with the direct assistance of a physician.† This would typically come into play if/when a critically ill patient wants to end their suffering. Confirming with the State-by-State Guide to Physician-Assisted Suicide, 5 states have Paquin 2 Legalized physician assisted suicide. California, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have made it legal by legislation, and Maine has made it legal by a court ruling. The remaining 45 statesShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of Physician Assisted Suicide Essay1655 Words   |  7 Pagespersonal perception of a â€Å"good life† even if they are not hurting anyone else? The exceedingly divided dispute around the procedure of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) asks this very question. Although PAS is reasonably fresh to the sphere of moral matters it is often the main topic in many discussions about proper healthcare and palliative care. Physician-assisted suicide was initially permitted in the state of Oregon when the state passed its Death with Dignity Act in 1994 (Kotva, 2016). The Act requiresRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide And Ethics725 Words   |  3 Pages Legality of Physician Assisted Suicide and Ethics Luz Garcia Taunton University of Texas Rio Grande Valley â€Æ' Abstract Physician assisted suicide is defined as a doctor intentionally killing a person by the administration of drugs, at that person’s voluntary and competent request. Research has been conducted in different countries to determine under what conditions this practice is acceptable. Most health care practitioners agree that this is only suitable when the patient in question is sufferingRead MoreThe Ethics Of An Physician Assisted Suicide2729 Words   |  11 Pages In any event the topic of discussion and the purpose of this term paper is to explore biology and the ethics of this natural science. The topic of this paper is Physician Assisted Suicide; it has been widely debated amongst doctors, patients, politicians and law makers. The question that will be explored is the fact of if this is wrong or right to do. The purpose of physician assisted suicide, as well as how humans manipulated this phenomenon, and the controversy of this topic, amongst other prevalentRead MoreThe Ethics O f Physician-Assisted Suicide1381 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician-assisted suicide can be the withholding of essential care, but it can also be the administration of lethal drugs either by the patient themselves or by a medical professional to end suffering from incurable diseases (Richmond, 2014). Is it fair to make someone live in chronic pain for the rest of their life when there are options? If someone has tried all options to live and have come to terms with no more options, is it okay to help them end their life? The choices do not come easy andRead MoreThe Ethics Of Physician Assisted Suicide1723 Words   |  7 PagesPhysician assisted suicide, the suicide of a patient suffering from an incurable disease, effected by the taking of lethal drugs provided by a doctor for this purpose. The question of whether or not this practice should be made legal in the United States has been one of controversy since 1997. Beginning with the case of Washington v. Glucksberg, where the United States Supreme Court ruled that the matter of the constitutionality of a right to a physician’s aid in dying, was best left up to the statesRead MoreUtilitarian And Virtue Ethics Of Physician Assisted Suicide1314 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician Assisted Suicide Physician assisted suicide or PAS is a controversial topic in the world today. But the important question is, should physician assisted suicides be allowed in cases such as: the patient’s suffering is far too great and there is no chance of them getting better? This is a highly debated issue, that has activist groups on both sides fighting for what they think is the right thing to do. Physician assisted suicides can stop the excruciating pain a patient is in, especiallyRead MoreEthics And Social Responsibility Of Physician Assisted Suicide Essay2503 Words   |  11 Pages Ethics in Physician Assisted Suicide Chataqua Wilson SOC120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility Instructor: Denise Antoon Augustl 1, 2014 Ethics in Physician Assisted Suicide Physician assisted suicide refers to the voluntary termination of the life of a particular patient. It is conducted through administering a lethal substance with direct or indirect assistance from the physician. The case of physician-assisted suicide has caused many debates.Read MorePhysician Assisted Suicide : Comparative Religious Ethics1783 Words   |  8 Pages Physician Assisted Suicide RST-331-20 Comparative Religious Ethics Brian D. Berry, Ph.D. Fall 2014 Physician Assisted Suicide 2 Physician Assisted Suicide is defined as suicide committed with the aid of a physician who facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and or information to perform the life ending act. The physician provides sleeping pills and information about the lethal dose, which is fully aware the patient will commit suicide. The patientsRead MoreEssay Moral and Ethics: Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide 1776 Words   |  8 PagesEuthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are actions that hit at the core of what it means to be human - the moral and ethical actions that make us who we are, or who we ought to be. Euthanasia, a subject that is so well known in the twenty-first century, is subject to many discussions about ethical permissibility which date back to as far as ancient Greece and Rome , where euthanasia was practiced rather frequently. It was not until the Hippocratic School removed it from medical practice. EuthanasiaRead MoreThe Ethics Of Assisted Suicide1526 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract Physician assisted suicide, otherwise noted as â€Å"PAS,† has existed for many years, however has made a controversial appearance in legislation recently. Patients’ and their end of life decisions have shaped the way PAS has been portrayed today. Nurses play an important role in the everyday life of transitioning patients, which places them at the forefront of assisted suicide. Nurses must have clear and defined rules when it applies to assisted suicide, and what they can do if this

Competency Statement II free essay sample

As a preschool teacher I support my children’s physical development by playing an indoor game such as leap frog. Where my children stand in a line and the first person in the line ducks down on the knees like a dog and the second child in line leaps over like a frog. The children continue to do this until the first who gets to the finish line. The children enjoy this physical activity very much. This activity is perfect when the weather outside is not so good. When the entire class is playing together and making a good team, is when I know that this activity is a keeper. When the weather is good and sunny outside I love the game tag! This physical activity absolutely promotes energy and gives the children a reason to run with laughter and excitement. Another physical activity that I would support in my preschool classroom is Simon says. We will write a custom essay sample on Competency Statement II or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This activity appeals to them very well. The children get very serious when the play Simon says. And when I don’t say Simon says they actually were listening. They enjoy this game/activity because we are all learning the importance of language and respect. This matter also deals with socialization. When I explain to them that if I don’t say â€Å"Simon says† then you have to sit down, this game gets very challenging for them. â€Å"Duck, duck GOOSE! † is actually one of my children’s favorite game to play when we are indoors. This game gives them so much energy and excitement that it just fills the entire classroom with that happy energy. I even sit down and participate and play along with them. Whenever I play this game with them, I always have a big smile on my face. Intellectual As a preschool teacher I support my children’s intellect by giving him/her a boost in mathematical and scientific development with an easy measuring experiment. I would ask my child to pick a few different objects that are different sizes and weights, for example a toy car or some crayons. I would ask him/her which ones he/she thinks will weigh the most and the least. I would go in and weigh the objects to compare the different numbers that represent each one. Then, I would have him/her compare the numbers. This activity usually gives them a sense of what knowledge really is and why we are here learning every day. Another great activity I enjoy supporting my children’s intellectual skills is helping that child create a pictorial schedule. A pictorial schedule is a collage-like picture schedule that allows the child to cut out pictures from a magazine and paste them depending on what he/she did all day yesterday. I can even have him/her cut out photos or drawings of things that he/she does at different times of the day for example eating breakfast, going to preschool, having lunch, playtime, eating dinner and going to bed. I would also help them to paste the pictures in order on their own daily time-line.