Question

In a published​ study, three researchers reported that when students were given a spatial reasoning section of a standard IQ​ test, those who listened to Mozart for 10 minutes improved their scores more than those who simply sat quietly.The researchers said the differences were statistically significant. Explain what this means in this context. Choose the correct answer below.

A. The differences among the Mozart and quiet groups were more than would have been expected from ordinary sampling variation.
B. The test takers that listened to Mozart scored higher than the overall average for the test.
C. The differences among the Mozart and quiet groups were less than would have been expected from ordinary sampling variation.
D. Listening to Mozart made the test takers perform better.

Answer 1

Option A

The differences among the Mozart and quiet groups were more than would have been expected from ordinary sampling variation.

Explanation:

When the researchers say that the differences were statistically significant, it means that in terms of number of occurrences, the differences in the results obtained from the two samples are high enough to draw a conclusion from, or inform further research.

It means that outside statistical errors, there was something worthy of note in the relationship between listening to Mozart and improvement of the IQ.