Signal significance in particle physics

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.

talk: Durham 2002/03/18
statistical analysis
statistics: Bayesian
anti-p p: inclusive reaction
top
quark: pair production
top: decay
particle identification: bottom
background
interpretation of experiments: Batavia TEVATRON PS

References(11)

Figures(0)

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