AtelierLe journal · French, understood
English

Language

The course

Updated

Myth or fact

A French study summary: no difference found is not proof of equality

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Interpret French no-difference findings without turning them into proof of equality, using clear study notes and six verdict questions.

In short

Aucune différence détectée reports that this study did not detect a difference. It does not automatically show equality. To assess an equivalence claim, look for a defined equivalence margin, an appropriate analysis and enough precision to address that margin.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

Two horizontal intervals cross a dotted centre line. The upper interval extends outside two orange bounds; the lower interval stays inside them.
Conceptual comparison, not study data: the dotted line marks no difference and orange lines mark predefined equivalence bounds. An appropriate interval for the difference must fit within both bounds to support equivalence; crossing zero alone does not do that. Illustration: Atelier

Two training groups complete a task. The report says their average scores differ slightly, but the study did not detect a clear difference. It gives no equivalence margin and notes that the group sizes are small. The language-learning task is to preserve that limited finding rather than replace it with “the methods are identical”.

Note de résultat · deux méthodes d’entraînement

Comparaison

Méthode APetit groupe ; score moyen proche de celui du groupe B.

Méthode BPetit groupe ; variation importante entre les personnes.

Conclusion du rapportAucune différence nette n’a été détectée avec ce dispositif.

LimiteAucune analyse d’équivalence ni marge d’équivalence n’est fournie.

What does the report establish?

Vrai ou faux ? Decide before you see the verdict.

  1. The report says no clear difference was detected in this setup.

  2. The methods are therefore identical for every learner.

  3. Small groups and high variation can leave the estimate imprecise.

  4. An equivalence claim needs more than the phrase no difference detected.

  5. The absence of a detected difference proves the opposite method is better.

  6. The cautious summary can retain the need for a more informative comparison.

Use the report’s actual verb

L’étude ne détecte pas de différence nette, mais elle ne permet pas d’affirmer l’équivalence des méthodes.

The study does not detect a clear difference, but it does not allow the methods’ equivalence to be asserted.

This preserves the negative finding and the separate equivalence question. Avoid treating non significatif as a synonym for “no effect exists”. Equally, do not claim a hidden difference must exist: insufficient information can leave both possibilities open.

Keep going