Final answer:
Option (A), When selecting an alpha value, the primary concern is the probability of committing a Type I error. This error occurs when a true null hypothesis is incorrectly rejected, and it is directly influenced by the chosen alpha level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary concern when selecting an alpha value (α) is the probability of committing a Type I error. This is because the alpha value directly sets the threshold at which the null hypothesis is rejected. A Type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is true but is incorrectly rejected. The power of the test, which is 1 minus the probability of a Type II error (1 - β), is a related concept but is not directly determined by the alpha level.
Likewise, the beta value (β) is the probability of a Type II error, which occurs when the null hypothesis is false but fails to be rejected. However, the beta value is not the primary concern when choosing an alpha value, although it is indirectly affected by it. To increase the power of the test, researchers can increase the sample size or effect size, which would help in detecting a true effect when it exists and reducing the probability of a Type II error.