Statistical significance does not imply which of the following?

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The correct answer highlights that statistical significance does not inherently imply practical significance. Statistical significance is determined through tests that assess whether an observed effect or difference is likely due to chance, usually indicated by a p-value less than a predetermined threshold (such as 0.05). However, a finding can be statistically significant yet trivial in real-world terms; it's possible for an effect to be real and yet so small that it has negligible practical implications. This distinction emphasizes the importance of considering the effect size and the context of the findings, as larger sample sizes can sometimes yield statistically significant results even for small and potentially inconsequential effects.

In contrast, other aspects, such as validity of results, reliability of measurements, and the adequacy of sample size, are more tied to the methodology and design of a study. Validity concerns whether the study measures what it intends to measure, while reliability refers to the consistency of the measurements. Sample size adequacy impacts the power of a study to detect an effect, ensuring that results are not merely artifacts of a too-small sample. Therefore, while statistical significance is an important indicator in research, it does not confirm practical relevance or real-world applicability.

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