UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statement C is wrong because statistical significance does not automatically imply practical importance; a small effect can be statistically significant in a large sample yet practically trivial. Statements A, B, D and E correctly describe the roles and potential misuses of statistics, including summarising data, the risk of misleading presentations, the need to report methods and the importance of understanding assumptions. Therefore, C alone is the incorrect statement in the list.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it isolates C as the sole misleading statement and acknowledges that the remaining statements align with good statistical practice. It emphasises the distinction between statistical and practical significance, which is crucial for sound interpretation.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it also labels A as wrong, even though A correctly explains that statistics help reveal patterns and relationships in data. Treating A as wrong underestimates the central purpose of statistical analysis.

Option C:
Option C is also wrong because it groups D with C, despite D rightly stressing transparency in reporting methods. Misclassifying D as wrong contradicts the principle of reproducible research.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it adds B and E to the set of wrong statements. Both B and E accurately warn about misleading presentations and the need to understand test assumptions, so including them with C misrepresents statistical best practices.