A New York Times article reported on the growing problem of homelessness among families (Bellafante, 2013). The reporter wrote that families in a city-run program called Homebase had shorter stays than families not in the program—a difference of about 22.6 fewer nights in a shelter. However, the reporter observed, “Though

this is a statistically significant result, it is hardly an impressive one, especially in light of the fact that the average stay for a family in the shelter system is now 13 months, up from 9 months in 2011, and the city is experiencing record levels of homelessness with 50,000 people, including 21,000 children, in shelters every night.”

a. How is the reporter’s observation about the size of the result—“hardly an impressive one”—related to the concept of effect size?

b. Imagine that a friend who has not taken statistics asks you to explain the difference between a statistically significant result and a large or “impressive” effect. In your own words, how would you explain this difference to your friend?