This study develops a tool to identify errors in the presentation of natural laws based on the epistemology and ontology of the Scientific Realism of Mario Bunge. The tool is able to identify errors of different types: (1) epistemological, in which the law is incorrectly presented as data correlation instead of as a pattern of causality; (2)…

D. Robinson and J. Levin (1997) proposed what they called a two-step procedure for analyzing statistical data in which researchers first evaluate the probability of an observed effect statistically (i.e., statistical significance), and, if and only if, it can be concluded that the underlying finding is too improbable to be due to chance, then they…

Examines potential problems in the use of inferential statistics for single population proportions, differences between two population proportions, and quotients of two population proportions. Discusses hypothesis testing versus interval estimation. Emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate formula for the standard error and…

This paper evaluates the logic underlying various criticisms of statistical significance testing and makes specific recommendations for scientific and editorial practice that might better increase the knowledge base. Reliance on the traditional hypothesis testing model has led to a major bias against nonsignificant results and to misinterpretation…