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The difference between an insignificant difference and a significant difference�

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David Aiken

In Reply to: RE: A bit confused by your statement. posted by jsm on September 08, 2007 at 12:37:17

�is easy to define, at least for me. If the difference is insignificant I can say "It's better but I'm happy with what I've got". If it's a significant difference then I can still say "It's better" but the follow up is either "I'll take one" or, in the worst case scenario (ie I can't afford it) "I'd really love one of those".

Significance is simply related to level of desire :-)

David Aiken

Follow Ups:

I guess I was thinking as a scientist. - jsm 17:06:30 09/11/07 (1)
In science the term "significant difference" has a real meaning, If there is no significant difference between two things, then you can't distinguish between them reliably. I'm being much too picky in this instance, though I really was wondering how obvious the difference was between the sets. Of course, in the end, there is no substitute for seeing them myself.

Joe
- RE: I guess I was thinking as a scientist. - David Aiken 17:00:15 09/21/07 (0)
  Sorry for the delay in response since I've just gotten home from hospital a few days ago and it's taken me until now to notice your reply.
  
  I do understand significance in the scientific context and I've actually done research for a post graduate qualification in which I had to rely on that sort of significance extensively, but I think in the context of this sort of discussion it still comes back to how desirable we find the change.
  
  Let's say there is an objectively measurable difference that can be verified and replicated with instruments, in other words we can reliably distinguish between the two by measurement. Will you find the difference "significant"? Let's say the difference is a greater contrast range so you get better black levels, or the colour parameters are more precisely matched to the standard, and the measurements show this. The fact that the differences are measurable and repeatable does not mean that you will necessarily prefer the one that measures better or that you will be able to discern a difference and, even if you do discern a difference that won't mean that you will think that the difference is big enough to justify the expenditure of upgrading your present screen to the better model.
  
  Significance in the scientific sense certainly tells us something important, but that something is often not what we're really interested in when it comes to comparing components and making decisions about enjoyability of use and whether or not to spend the cash.
  
  David Aiken

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