What does a confidence interval represent in research?

A confidence interval represents the range within which a result is expected to fall. This statistical concept provides an estimated range of values that is likely to include an unknown population parameter, such as the mean. The confidence interval is constructed using sample data and helps to quantify the uncertainty associated with sample estimates.

For example, if a study reports a confidence interval of 95% for the mean score of participants to be between 50 and 60, it suggests that researchers can be 95% confident that the true mean score of the entire population falls within this range. This is crucial in research as it reflects the potential variability and reliability of the findings, allowing researchers and practitioners to understand the precision of their estimates.

Other choices do not capture the essence of a confidence interval. The total number of participants relates to sample size, the average score pertains to descriptive statistics, and the final conclusion of research summarizes findings but does not convey the statistical uncertainty inherent in estimates.