Final answer:
Dr. Tripper's incorrect rejection of a true null hypothesis is an example of a Type I error, which is the false rejection of a true null hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Dr. Tripper incorrectly rejects a true null hypothesis, this is known as a Type I error. A Type I error happens when the decision is to reject the null hypothesis even though it is, in fact, true. This is different from a Type II error, which occurs when a false null hypothesis is not rejected. The probability of a Type I error occurring is represented by the Greek letter alpha (α), while the probability of a Type II error is represented by beta (β).
In hypothesis testing, making a correct decision relies on a proper interpretation of data, and errors like these can significantly affect the conclusions drawn from a study or experiment.