Let's further define mutation as a heritable change in the genetic material. This point becomes important in multicellular organisms where we must distinguish between changes in gametes (germline mutations) and changes in body cells (somatic mutations).
Statistical significance relates to the question of whether or not the results of a statistical test meets an accepted criterion level. In psychology this level is typically the value of p < .05. The criteria of p < .05 was chosen to minimize the possibility of a Type I error, finding a significant difference when one does not exist. It does not protect us from Type II error, failure to find a difference when the difference does exist.
Many researchers get very excited when they have discovered a statistically significant finding, without really understanding what it means. When a statistic is significant, it simply means that you are very sure that the statistic is reliable.any researchers get very excited when they have discovered a statistically significant finding, without really understanding what it means. When a statistic is significant, it simply means that you are very sure that the statistic is reliable.