The tool determines a threshold value associated with a t-distribution, specifically designed for two-tailed hypothesis tests. This threshold delineates regions of statistical significance based on a specified significance level (alpha) and degrees of freedom. For instance, given an alpha of 0.05 and 20 degrees of freedom, the instrument provides the value beyond which observed t-statistics would lead to rejection of the null hypothesis, considering both positive and negative deviations from the mean.
This calculation is crucial in inferential statistics, facilitating decision-making regarding the rejection or acceptance of null hypotheses. Its utility spans various fields, from scientific research to quality control, allowing researchers and practitioners to assess the evidence against a particular claim. Historically, obtaining this value necessitated consulting extensive statistical tables; the automated calculation offers significantly improved efficiency and accuracy.