Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
YouTube
WeChat
x
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • English
    • 简体中文
Correct way writing p value statistical analyses
  • Manuscript Review

What is the correct way of writing the p value in statistical analyses?

  • 2 minute read
  • 9.2K views
Total
18
Shares
18
0
0
0
0

Table of Contents

  • Why is the p value important?
    • The correct usage

The p value is a commonly cited piece of statistic in research papers, but it is prone to serious misuse. Back in the 1920s, p values appeared in a mere 17% of published psychology papers, but by the 1970s they were found in a whopping 90% of papers, according to a previous study. Many papers have investigated the pervasiveness of its incorrect usage in scientific publishing. Even the American Statistical Association got involved when it took the unprecedented step of publicly issuing a statement on a statistical practice for the first time ever. Since this number determines the statistical importance of the hypothesis test, it is crucial to get it right. Here’s what you need to know about the p value and how to use it correctly.

Why is the p value important?

Let’s first start by clarifying what a null hypothesis is. It means no significant effect, pattern, or relationship exists concerning the tested sets, groups, variables, etc., and the observations are due to sampling or experimental error. If the null hypothesis is false, then there is a significant effect concerning the observed data. But what determines the significance of the observed results to accept or reject the null hypothesis? Here comes the importance of the p value. It provides that seal of approval based on which results may be considered statistically significant or not significant.

The p value shows how likely the observed effect, difference, or relationship in your study is, assuming a null hypothesis is true. A p value ranges between 0 to 1.

The correct usage

  1. The p value does not allude to the strength or size of an effect, difference, or relationship. Adding a correlation coefficient or the mean value helps the reader in better understanding your findings.
  2. Write exact p values for primary outcomes to uphold scientific rigor. You can write ‘p < .001’ if the exact p value is less than .001.
  3. Since a p value cannot equal 0, replace ‘p = .000’ with ‘p < .001’ as the latter is considered to be standard practice.
  4. Stick to writing ‘p < .05’ rather than ‘p < 0.05’ as most experts disapprove of adding a zero before the decimal point when the number cannot be greater than 1.

P values are easy to get wrong despite good intentions. Elsevier Author Services are well-equipped to double-check and correct grammar mistakes, statistical anomalies, and yes, even dubious p values to ensure that your manuscript is accurate and of top-notch quality. In the newly launched Mini Program on WeChat, you get a discount voucher with the email when you submit your details to get a quote.

So, ease your worries about your manuscript by working with the best people in the business of proofreading, editing, and translating scientific work.

Total
18
Shares
Post 18
Tweet 0
Share 0
Send 0
Message 0
Previous Article
Active and Passive Voices in Academic Writing
  • Manuscript Review

Using the Active and Passive Voices in Academic Writing

View Post
Next Article
Paper Rejection Common Reasons
  • Publication Process

Paper Rejection: Common Reasons

View Post
You May Also Like
Research Fraud: Falsification and Fabrication in Research Data
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Research Fraud: Falsification and Fabrication in Research Data

Active and Passive Voices in Academic Writing
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Using the Active and Passive Voices in Academic Writing

Avoid Accidental Plagiarism
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Five Easy Ways to Avoid Accidental Plagiarism

View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Professor Anselmo Paiva: Using Computer Vision to Tackle Medical Issues with a Little Help from Elsevier Author Services

What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?

Systematic review vs meta-analysis
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Systematic Review VS Meta-Analysis

Looking for Medical Editing Services - Elsevier
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Looking for Medical Editing Services

Proofreading-or-editing
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Proofreading or Editing?

  • Grammar Rules

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • How to Write a Research Paper Outline

    How to Write a Research Paper Outline

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • Using Social Media to Promote Research

    Using Social Media to Promote Research

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • How to Write a Research Question

    How to Write a Research Question

    • 5 minute read
    View Post
  • Levels of evidence in research

    Levels of evidence in research

    • 5 minute read
    View Post
More Posts
  • What is a predatory Journal
    Navigating the Complex Landscape of Predatory Journals
    • 3 minute read
  • Manuscript Submission
    From Pen to Press: Navigating the Manuscript Submission Process
    • 3 minute read
  • choosing the Right Research Methodology
    Choosing the Right Research Methodology: A Guide for Researchers
    • 3 minute read
  • Analytical Method Validation
    Navigating the Reproducibility Crisis: A Guide to Analytical Method Validation
    • 3 minute read
  • Why is data validation important in research
    Why is data validation important in research?
    • 3 minute read
  • how to write the results section of a research paper
    How to write the results section of a research paper
    • 3 minute read
Price Calculator
Type in wordcount for Standard
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 12,000 words.
Upload
Learn more about
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • News
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Elsevier wordmark
Terms & Conditions

Cookies are used by this site. To decline or learn more, visit our Cookies page.

RELX Wordmark

Input your search keywords and press Enter.