Definition P value

In the context of hypothesis testing, the P-value is the probability of obtaining the observed outcome under a defined null hypothesis.

In regression analyses, it is common to assess the significance of a variable's coefficient calculating its P-value. In that case, the null hypothesis is that the variable coefficient is 0 (or, that this specific independent variable is not a predictor for the dependent variable).

Based on the coefficient estimate and its standard deviation, if its P-value is lower than 10% ‒ or, if the chance that the coefficient is actually 0 as the null hypothesis states is lower than 10% ‒ generally the coefficient is considered to be significant.

Please note that the definitions in our statistics encyclopedia are simplified explanations of terms. Our goal is to make the definitions accessible for a broad audience; thus it is possible that some definitions do not adhere entirely to scientific standards.