What Does the p-value Even Mean?

# What Does the p-value Even Mean? P-values are a number that scientists use to decide whether their research results are real or just happened by chance, but they're often misunderstood even by people who use them regularly. The lower the p-value, the more confident researchers can be that their finding isn't just a fluke—though a low p-value doesn't prove something is true, only that it's worth paying attention to. Understanding what p-values actually measure (and what they don't) matters because research using them influences decisions in medicine, business, and policy.