
Significance (theory of)
The significance theory in research refers to determining whether a result or finding from a study is likely to be genuine rather than due to chance. It involves statistical tests that measure the probability (called the p-value) that observed differences or relationships happened randomly. If the p-value is below a specific threshold, the result is considered “statistically significant,” suggesting it reflects a real effect or pattern. This helps researchers differentiate meaningful findings from random noise, guiding reliable conclusions and decisions based on the evidence presented.