Question

Do the results seem to have any practical significance? What do you think?

A. Yes, because the test concluded that there is a significant difference between the two mean wait-times. Therefore, there is a practical significance.
B. Yes, because while there is no significant evidence that shows the new policies were effective in lowering the mean wait-time of customers, the difference between the previous mean wait-time and the new mean wait-time is large enough to be considered important.
C. No, because the test concluded that there is no significant difference between the two mean wait-times. Therefore, there is no practical significance.
D. No, because while there is significant evidence that shows the new policies were effective in lowering the mean wait-time of customers, the difference between the previous mean wait-time and the new mean wait-time is not large enough to be considered important.

Answer 1

Option B suggests that despite a lack of statistical significance, the practical difference in wait times could have meaningful real-world implications for customer satisfaction or business operations. It acknowledges that statistical significance does not always translate into practical significance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing practical significance, we need to consider the impact of the results in practical, real-world scenarios, beyond just statistical significance. Option B seems to align strongly with this principle. Option B states, "Yes, because while there is no significant evidence that shows the new policies were effective in lowering the mean wait-time of customers, the difference between the previous mean wait-time and the new mean wait-time is large enough to be considered important." This option indicates that despite the lack of statistical significance, the observed change in wait times might have real-world relevance that could affect customer experiences or business operations.

For example, even a small decrease in average wait time could lead to improved customer satisfaction and business efficiency. Therefore, while statistical tests provide valuable information on the potential impact of a change or intervention, the practical implications should always be weighed to assess the overall significance of the results.