Thresholds In Multiple Testing - False Positive Discovery And Non Discovery Rates

The false discovery rate FDR is a method of conceptualizing the rate of type I errors in null hypothesis testing when conducting multiple comparisons. FDR controlling procedures are designed to control the expected proportion of discoveries rejected null hypotheses that are false incorrect rejections. In other words FDR is designed to control the proportion of false positives among the set of rejected hypotheses. This is more sensitive than traditional methods simply because of using a more lenient metric for false positives. False discoveries infiltrate the science world. The probability of a false positive finding increases with the numbers of statistical analytical tests. With recently expanding possibilities for piling data concerns about the effects of multiplicities on false positive discoveries in the scientific endeavor have increased. However awareness has not steep evenly throughout all branches of science. The role of new statistical approaches such as the false discovery rate for controlling false positive findings as well as the impact of false positive findings on science shall be highlighted in this critical review.