P-values and Confidence Intervals
In a hypothesis test, P-value assists in determining the meaning of results. The p-value is an alternative way to reject points to give the least level of significance at which the null hypothesis would be rejected (“P Values”). If a p-value is small this will mean that evidence is strong and in favor of the alternative hypothesis (“P Values”). They are calculated by using tables, spreadsheets, and statistical software. Confidence intervals are the probability that a population parameter will come in between two set values for a specific amount of time (Kenton, 2020). Confidence intervals can take any number of prospects, with commonalities of being 95% or 99% confidence level (Kenton, 2020).
Three reasons why it may be preferable to report a Confidence Interval over a P-value and example
Three reasons the Confidence Interval would be preferable over a P-value would be when using the confidence interval as a test or significance, giving an estimated range of values that most likely include an unknown population parameter and determining the width of the Confidence level. For an example of the (CI), the width would be determining the mean age in a population, the danger of developing a certain outcome (Kenton, 2020). Another example is the study that was conducted by Brinton and colleagues who studied infertile patients. Patients of this study went through evaluation for infertility and results showed a significantly higher rate of ovarian cancer among those being evaluated of those with ovarian cancer (Attia, n.d.). The general population was of female data using a standardized incidence ratio, (CI) (Attia, n.d.). Based on the data and using (CI), this meant that infertile females have a higher ovarian cancer incidence than non-infertile females.
References
Attia, A. (n.d.). EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE CORNER . Retrieved April 30, 2020, from
http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?mf05015
Kenton, W. (2020, March 12). Confidence Interval Definition. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/confidenceint…
P Values. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2020, from
https://www.statsdirect.com/help/basics/p_values.h…