Alpha, Significance Level of Test
In: Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods
Alpha, Significance Level of Test
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412963947.n13
Subject: Survey Research
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Alpha is a threshold value used to judge whether a test statistic is statistically significant. It is chosen by the researcher. Alpha represents an acceptable probability of a Type I error in a statistical test. Because alpha corresponds to a probability, it can range from 0 to 1. In practice, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 are the most commonly used values for alpha, representing a 1%, 5%, and 10% chance of a Type I error occurring (i.e. rejecting the null hypothesis when it is in fact correct). If the p-vahie of a test is equal to or less than the chosen level of alpha, it is deemed statistically significant; otherwise it is not.
The typical level of alpha is 0.05, but this is simply a custom and ...
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