Low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) can lead to confusion, depression, achy muscles, and tingling in the fingers. This is usually treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements. A study plans to investigate the impact of a new supplement for increasing calcium levels in a population at risk for low calcium. Potential candidates complete a screening questionnaire that includes inclusion criteria such as specific descriptions of any depressive symptoms or types of aches. Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria are then consented and go through a more complete pre-intervention exam that includes blood tests. Participants are then randomized to receive the new treatment or usual care and followed for 6 weeks at which point they complete another questionnaire and have a second blood draw.

Provide comments on the following question:

The investigators compared the change in calcium levels between the two groups and found a p-value of 0.026. They concluded that there was only a 2.6% chance that the two groups were the same and so rejected the null hypothesis and claimed a difference in change in calcium levels. A reviewer came back and said that this was incorrect. Is their statement accurate? Why or why not?

Note for all these analyses we will use 0.05 as the level of significance and the threshold for testing.