title: Interpretation of the p value: A national survey study in academic psychologists from Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incorrect interpretations of p values affect professionals&rsquo; decisions and jeopardize the quality of psychological interventions and the accumulation of valid scientific knowledge. This study analyzes the errors made by Spanish academic psychologists in interpreting p values.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed academic psychologists about their interpretations of p values. The sample is composed of 418 academic psychologists from Spanish public universities. The mean number of years working as a university professor is 14.16 (SD = 9.39).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings suggest that many academic psychologists do not know how to correctly interpret p values. The inverse probability fallacy presents the greatest comprehension problems. Methodology instructors also interpret the significance of the p value erroneously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight the importance of the statistical re-education of professors.
authors.affiliation: Universitat de València.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Badenes-Ribera
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frías-Navarro
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Monterde-i-Bort
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pascual-Soler
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005178:Faculty / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008128:Logic; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011584:Psychology; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires