Interpret no significant difference from an experiment
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Quick Overview
An experiment shows a 3% lift with p=0.08. What conclusions can you draw? What are the caveats?
DE Shaw
March 11, 2026139
5
973 solved
An experiment shows a 3% lift with p=0.08. What conclusions can you draw? What are the caveats?
Statistics questions at DE Shaw test your ability to reason quantitatively and design rigorous experiments. This Phone Screen question evaluates your understanding of statistical inference and its application to business decisions.
What the Interviewer Expects
- Derive results from first principles when needed
- Handle complex scenarios with multiple interacting variables
- Design experiments that account for real-world complications
- Discuss advanced topics: Bayesian methods, causal inference, resampling
- Connect statistical concepts to business decision-making
- Identify subtle errors in reasoning (Simpson's paradox, survivorship bias)
Key Topics to Cover
How to Approach This
- Define your hypotheses (H0 and H1) clearly before performing any test.
- Calculate required sample size BEFORE running an experiment, using power analysis.
- Remember the Central Limit Theorem: sample means become approximately normal with large n.
- Watch for Simpson's paradox. Always segment data by key dimensions.
- Distinguish between statistical significance and practical significance.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- How would you handle multiple comparisons?
- How would you design a follow-up experiment based on these results?
- What if the sample size is very small?
- What assumptions does this test make, and how would you validate them?
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Setting Up the Problem
Start by formalizing the problem: 1. **Define the hypotheses**: H0 (null hypothesis) and H1 (alternative). Be precise about what you're testing. 2. ...
Solution Approach
**Compute the test statistic**: Apply the appropriate formula using the sample data. **Find the p-value**: The probability of observing a result this...
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