What is the purpose of a p-value in biostatistics?

The purpose of a p-value in biostatistics is to assess statistical significance. When conducting hypothesis testing, the p-value helps researchers understand whether the results observed in their data are due to chance or if they indicate a true effect or relationship between variables.

A low p-value suggests that the observed data would be very unlikely under the null hypothesis, leading researchers to consider rejecting the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis, which indicates that a significant effect or difference exists. This concept is fundamental in determining whether the results can be considered statistically significant and warrant further investigation or action.

Understanding the p-value is essential in the context of experiments or studies where conclusions about the effectiveness of a treatment or the strength of an association are drawn, as it provides a standardized method to evaluate the strength of evidence against the null hypothesis.