Understanding significance testing through its historical roots

Nature Review Psychology, 1-1

Article
Author

A. Masciantonio

Published

July 23, 2025

In this short personal reflection, I explore how Kennedy-Shaffer’s historical account of p-values and significance testing shaped my early academic journey. The piece discusses the evolution of statistical paradigms and emphasizes the importance of understanding the philosophical and historical roots of scientific tools; not just how they work, but why we use them the way we do.

Read the paper here