If the p-value is 0.03 and alpha is 0.05, what do you conclude?
PICTURE THIS: HOW TO EXPLAIN IT
Simple meaning
You reject the null at the five percent level because the p-value sits below alpha.
WHY — P-value instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about P-value:
who only read docs from people who shipped.
and tied to Data Science work.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1You reject the null
at the five percent level because the p-value sits below alpha.
- 2That is evidence against
no-effect, not proof that the feature is large or worth shipping.
- 3You should still look
at effect size, confidence intervals, and practical cost.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
You reject the null at the five percent level because the p-value sits below alpha. That is evidence against no-effect, not proof that the feature is large or worth shipping.