C1 Expression Formal 3 min de lectura

The p-value indicates

Research methodology and reporting expression

Use this phrase to professionally link your mathematical data to your real-world research conclusions.

En 15 segundos

  • Used to report if research results are statistically significant or random.
  • Essential for academic writing, lab reports, and data-heavy business presentations.
  • Typically followed by a statement about the strength of a finding.

Significado

This phrase is used in science and statistics to explain what a specific number—the p-value—tells us about an experiment. It basically says whether your results are a real discovery or just a lucky coincidence.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Presenting a medical study

The p-value indicates that the new medication is significantly more effective than the placebo.

The p-value indicates that the new medication is significantly more effective than the placebo.

💼
2

Writing a university psychology paper

The p-value indicates a strong link between social media use and anxiety levels.

The p-value indicates a strong link between social media use and anxiety levels.

👔
3

A data scientist explaining marketing results

The p-value indicates our customers prefer the blue button over the red one.

The p-value indicates our customers prefer the blue button over the red one.

💼
🌍

Contexto cultural

The p-value is the 'gold standard' for statistical significance in Western science, popularized by Ronald Fisher in 1925. It has become so central to research that it often determines whether a study gets published or ignored. In recent years, there has been a cultural debate in the scientific community about relying too heavily on this single number.

💡

The 0.05 Rule

In most English-speaking academic circles, a p-value below 0.05 is the threshold for saying something is 'significant'.

⚠️

Don't say 'Proves'

Scientists rarely say a p-value 'proves' something. Use 'indicates' or 'suggests' to sound more professional and accurate.

En 15 segundos

  • Used to report if research results are statistically significant or random.
  • Essential for academic writing, lab reports, and data-heavy business presentations.
  • Typically followed by a statement about the strength of a finding.

What It Means

In the world of science, we need a way to prove we aren't just seeing patterns in clouds. The p-value indicates is the phrase researchers use to share their math-based confidence. Think of it as a 'truth-o-meter' for data. If the p-value is very small, it means your results are likely real. If it is large, your results might just be a random fluke. It is the bridge between raw numbers and a meaningful conclusion. You are telling your audience that the math supports your story.

How To Use It

You usually follow this phrase with a specific finding or a statement about significance. For example, you might say, The p-value indicates a strong correlation between sleep and memory. It acts as the evidence for your claim. It is almost always followed by a verb like suggests, shows, or demonstrates. You want to keep the tone objective and calm. Even if you are excited about a discovery, the phrase itself should sound like a neutral report. It is the ultimate 'nerd flex' in a professional setting.

When To Use It

Use this phrase when you are presenting data in a formal environment. It belongs in university essays, lab reports, and medical journals. You will also hear it in corporate boardrooms when data scientists explain consumer behavior. If you are reading a news article about a new vaccine, you will likely see this phrase. It is the gold standard for proving that a claim is backed by statistics. It shows you know how to handle data properly.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using this during a casual dinner or while chatting at a bar. If you say, The p-value indicates I should order another beer, your friends might think you've spent too much time in the library. It is far too technical for everyday social interactions. Also, do not use it if you haven't actually done the math. Using it incorrectly can make you look like you are trying too hard to sound smart. Stick to simpler words like The evidence shows for non-scientific crowds.

Cultural Background

This phrase became the language of truth in the early 20th century. A man named Ronald Fisher popularized the p-value in the 1920s. Since then, it has become the gatekeeper of scientific publication. In Western academic culture, a p-value of less than 0.05 is the 'magic number' for success. It is so culturally ingrained that scientists often joke about 'p-hacking' to get the right result. It represents the modern obsession with data-driven decision making.

Common Variations

You might hear people say The p-value suggests if they want to be more cautious. Some prefer The p-value demonstrates for a stronger, bolder claim. In very formal papers, you might see The calculated p-value indicates. If the results are not clear, researchers say The p-value indicates no significant difference. All of these variations help you fine-tune how certain you are about your discovery.

Notas de uso

This is a high-level academic expression. Use it primarily in written reports or formal presentations involving data analysis.

💡

The 0.05 Rule

In most English-speaking academic circles, a p-value below 0.05 is the threshold for saying something is 'significant'.

⚠️

Don't say 'Proves'

Scientists rarely say a p-value 'proves' something. Use 'indicates' or 'suggests' to sound more professional and accurate.

💬

The 'P-Hacking' Joke

If someone mentions 'p-hacking', they are jokingly (or seriously) accusing a researcher of manipulating data to get a good p-value.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Presenting a medical study
💼

The p-value indicates that the new medication is significantly more effective than the placebo.

The p-value indicates that the new medication is significantly more effective than the placebo.

This is the standard way to report clinical trial results.

#2 Writing a university psychology paper
👔

The p-value indicates a strong link between social media use and anxiety levels.

The p-value indicates a strong link between social media use and anxiety levels.

Used here to support a hypothesis in an academic setting.

#3 A data scientist explaining marketing results
💼

The p-value indicates our customers prefer the blue button over the red one.

The p-value indicates our customers prefer the blue button over the red one.

Applying scientific language to a business A/B test.

#4 Joking with fellow PhD students
😄

The p-value indicates that my coffee consumption is the only thing keeping me alive.

The p-value indicates that my coffee consumption is the only thing keeping me alive.

A humorous way to use academic jargon in a personal context.

#5 Texting a colleague about a failed experiment
💼

The p-value indicates no significance, so we need to restart the trial.

The p-value indicates no significance, so we need to restart the trial.

Brief and direct communication about research progress.

#6 Discussing a breakthrough in cancer research
💭

The p-value indicates we have finally found a viable target for the therapy.

The p-value indicates we have finally found a viable target for the therapy.

Used in a high-stakes, emotionally significant scientific context.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct word to complete the formal research statement.

The p-value ___ that the results are statistically significant.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: indicates

`Indicates` is the standard formal verb used with p-values in academic writing.

Complete the sentence to show a lack of significance.

The p-value indicates ___ significant difference between the two groups.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: no

In statistics, if a p-value is high, it indicates 'no' significant difference.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of 'The p-value indicates'

Casual

Talking to friends at a party

The math says it's true.

Neutral

General office meeting

The data shows a trend.

Formal

Scientific journal or thesis

The p-value indicates significance.

Where to use 'The p-value indicates'

Research Reporting
🧪

University Lab

Reporting chemical reactions.

💻

Tech Company

Analyzing user data.

🏥

Medical Conference

Sharing drug trial results.

📈

Financial Report

Predicting market shifts.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It means the math shows that your results didn't happen by accident. It is a way of saying 'the data supports my idea'.

Yes, if you are presenting data or analytics. It makes you sound very precise and evidence-based.

Yes, The p-value shows is perfectly acceptable and slightly less formal than indicates.

You would say, The p-value indicates no significant correlation. This means your theory was likely wrong.

Yes, it is universal across all English-speaking scientific and academic communities.

Use indicates for strong results and suggests if you want to be more cautious about your claims.

Only if you are joking with a classmate or colleague. It is too formal for normal texting.

Not necessarily, but it usually introduces the main finding, like Our analysis shows the p-value indicates....

Yes, the 'p' is usually lowercase and italicized in professional papers, like *p*-value.

A common mistake is saying The p-value indicates that the hypothesis is 100% true. Statistics are about probability, not absolute certainty.

Frases relacionadas

Statistically significant

Null hypothesis

Correlation coefficient

Empirical evidence

Confidence interval

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