In a trial comparing a new drug to placebo, the null hypothesis states there is no difference in efficacy. The trial concludes the drug is superior when in reality it is not. This is a:
- A Type I error (alpha error) ✓
- B Type II error (beta error)
- C Correct decision (true positive)
- D Random error
Correct answer: A. Type I error (alpha error)
Explanation
A Type I error occurs when a true null hypothesis is incorrectly rejected, yielding a false positive conclusion. Here, the null (no real difference) was true, but the test wrongly concluded the drug was superior. A Type II error would be failing to detect a real difference (false negative).
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
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