Type I error

American  

noun

1. the error made in the statistical testing of a hypothesis by rejecting the null hypothesis when it is actually true.

---

type I error British  

noun

1. statistics the error of rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true, the probability of which is the significance level of a result

---

Etymology

Origin of Type I error

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The error with the greater consequence would be the Type I error since couples would use the It’s a Boy Genetic Labs product in hopes of increasing the chances of having a boy.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

Type I error: Frank does not go rock climbing because he considers that the equipment is not safe, when in fact, the equipment is really safe.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

The probability of making a Type I error is α.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Critical Value The t or Z value set by the researcher that measures the probability of a Type I error, α.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

A Type I error occurs when a true hypothesis is rejected, and a Type II error occurs when a false hypothesis is accepted.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos