What does practical significance allow researchers to determine in their findings?

Practical significance refers to the real-world importance or relevance of research findings, beyond just whether the results are statistically significant. It helps researchers and practitioners assess how meaningful the outcomes are in a practical context. For instance, a statistically significant result may indicate that an intervention has an effect, but practical significance evaluates the size of that effect and whether it has a meaningful impact on real-life situations. This allows researchers to determine if the findings can be applied in everyday settings or if they are large enough to warrant changes in practice or policy.

By focusing on practical significance, researchers can convey to stakeholders, such as policymakers or practitioners, whether the differences observed in data are substantial enough to influence decisions or lead to practical applications. This differentiates it from concepts such as statistical significance and scientific validity, which focus more on the reliability and accuracy of the results rather than their meaningful impact.