Twenty steps towards an adequate inferential interpretation of p-values

Abstract

Abstract:We suggest twenty immediately actionable steps to reduce widespread inferential errors related 2 to "statistical significance testing." Our propositions refer first to the theoretical preconditions for using p-3 values. They furthermore include wording guidelines as well as structural and operative advice on how to 4 present results, especially in multiple regression analysis. Our propositions aim at fostering the logical 5 consistency of inferential arguments by avoiding false categorical reasoning. They are not aimed at dis-6 pensing with p-values or completely replacing frequentist approaches by Bayesian statistics. 7