Signal Significance in Particle Physics
Abstract
Description
The concept of the "statistical significance" of an observation, and how it is used in particle physics experiments is reviewed. More properly known as a "p-value," the statistical foundations for this concept are reviewed from a freqentist perspective. The discovery of the top quark at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider and a more recent analysis of data recorded at Fermilab are used to illustrate practical applications of these concepts.
To be published in the proceedings of the conference "Advanced Statistical Techniques in Particle Physics", Durham, England (18-22 Mar 2002)
To be published in the proceedings of the conference "Advanced Statistical Techniques in Particle Physics", Durham, England (18-22 Mar 2002)