# Practical Statistics for Particle Physics

## TL;DR

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods used in particle physics, including probability interpretations, distributions, hypothesis testing, error analysis, and criteria for discovery claims.

## Contribution

It offers a detailed pedagogical summary of statistical techniques tailored for particle physics research, integrating both frequentist and Bayesian approaches.

## Key findings

- Clarifies different probability interpretations in physics.
- Explains methods for setting upper limits and significance thresholds.
- Discusses the rationale behind the 5 sigma discovery criterion.

## Abstract

This is the write-up of a set of lectures given at the Asia Europe Pacific School of High Energy Physics in Quy Nhon, Vietnam in September 2018, to an audience of PhD students in all branches of particle physics They cover the different meanings of 'probability', particularly frequentist and Bayesian, the binomial, Poisson and Gaussian distributions, hypothesis testing, estimation, errors (including asymmetric and systematic errors) and goodness of fit. Several different methods used in setting upper limits are explained, followed by a discussion on why 5 sigma are conventionally required for a 'discovery'.