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p-hacking

P-hacking refers to the manipulation of statistical analysis to achieve a desired outcome, typically by researchers trying to obtain a significant p-value (usually less than 0.05) for their results. This can involve testing multiple hypotheses, selectively reporting data, or tweaking methods until the results appear statistically significant, even if they are not truly meaningful. This practice can lead to false conclusions and mislead scientific understanding, compromising the integrity of research findings and the trust placed in scientific studies.

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    P-hacking refers to the practice of manipulating data or statistical analyses to achieve a statistically significant result (a p-value below 0.05), which can mislead researchers and the public. This can involve trying multiple tests, excluding data points, or selectively reporting results until a desired outcome is reached. While researchers may not intend to deceive, P-hacking can lead to questionable conclusions in scientific research, making it critical for studies to follow strict methodologies and for findings to be replicated by others to ensure their validity.