On Use of Multiple Tests of Significance in Psychological Research

Abstract

The evaluation of a series of statistical tests in psychological research is a common problem faced by many investigators. As the number of statistical tests increases, the probability of making a Type I error, i.e., of rejecting the null hypothesis when in fact it is true, increases as well. To help researchers evaluate their results, tables have been constructed which show the probability of obtaining k or more significant results due to chance in a series of K independent statistical tests. Recommendations are also given in order to avoid the problems of a Type I error.