An educational psychologist is evaluating a new phonics programme. They set their significance level at p≤0.05 p \le 0.05\,p≤0.05 and obtain a test result of p=0.07p = 0.07p=0.07. Consequently, they fail to reject the null hypothesis, concluding there is no significant difference in reading ability. However, in reality, the phonics programme does significantly improve reading scores in the wider population.
Which of the following correctly identifies the error made by the psychologist and the reason why?
A Type I error, because they rejected a null hypothesis that is actually true.
A Type I error, because they retained a null hypothesis that is actually false.
A Type II error, because they retained a null hypothesis that is actually false.
A Type II error, because they rejected a null hypothesis that is actually true.
513 exam-style questions on OCR A Level Psychology Data recording, analysis and presentation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.