What does statistical significance indicate about research results?

Statistical significance indicates that the research results reflect a true effect rather than random variance. When results are deemed statistically significant, this typically means that the likelihood of observing these results—or more extreme ones—under the assumption that the null hypothesis is true is very low, usually below a predetermined threshold such as 0.05. Therefore, researchers can infer that the effect observed is unlikely to be due to chance alone.

This concept is foundational in hypothesis testing, as it supports the argument for a systematic relationship or difference in the data rather than random fluctuations or noise. Recognizing statistical significance helps to establish a basis for further investigation and supports the credibility of the findings within the context of empirical research.