Power of a test

The power of a statistical test refers to its ability to correctly detect a real effect or difference when one actually exists. In other words, it measures how effectively the test can identify an alternative hypothesis. A high-power test minimizes the chances of missing real effects (reducing false negatives), making it more reliable for detecting true differences or relationships in data. Power depends on factors like sample size, significance level, and the true effect size. Overall, it's a key concept for designing studies that are capable of identifying meaningful results.