What term describes the confidence level researchers assign to their findings?

The term that describes the confidence level researchers assign to their findings is statistical significance. This concept refers to the likelihood that a result or relationship observed in data is not due to random chance. When researchers conduct studies and analyze data, they often use statistical tests to determine whether their findings are statistically significant, indicating that they can be confident in the results and that these findings likely reflect a true effect within the population being studied, rather than a mere coincidence.

Statistical significance helps researchers understand the strength of their results and aids in decision-making regarding the validity of hypotheses. Typically, a p-value (probability value) is used to indicate statistical significance, with a common threshold set at 0.05—suggesting that there is less than a 5% probability that the results occurred by chance. When findings are statistically significant, it lends support to the relevance and importance of the research work within the larger body of scientific evidence.