# Alpha/Beta diversity plots and reporting specific samples/groups that show significant differences

**URL:** https://forum.qiime2.org/t/alpha-beta-diversity-plots-and-reporting-specific-samples-groups-that-show-significant-differences/28231
**Category:** User Support
**Created:** [November 10, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/alpha-beta-diversity-plots-and-reporting-specific-samples-groups-that-show-significant-differences/28231 "2023-11-10T15:58:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
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### Author: ![jphagen](https://forum.qiime2.org/user_avatar/forum.qiime2.org/jphagen/32/17133_2.png) [@jphagen](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/jphagen)
#### Post date: [November 13, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/alpha-beta-diversity-plots-and-reporting-specific-samples-groups-that-show-significant-differences/28231/3 "2023-11-13T17:49:26Z")

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HI @dfitzer1

> [@dfitzer1](#):
>
> Hypothetically speaking, if there was a significant difference reported, how could I determine which samples are responsible?

Yes, looking at the pair-wise comparisons would give you the metrics to indicate samples responsible.

However, looking at your data the replicates may be problematic. For Kruskal-Wallis, and most of the statistical tests in Qiime2, one of the key assumptions is independence across samples. Replicates have inherent dependance. You will need to work around this by creating models that account for dependance.  
[This forum](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/how-to-take-into-account-sample-replicates-in-beta-group-significance-testing/25208) post regarding replicates should be helpful to you in treating your replicates.

> [@dfitzer1](#):
>
> Similar to the above is it possible to determine which specific sample comparisons are significantly different using these metrics.

The pairwise comparisons also will be helpful to you in this case for specific sample comparisons.

I hope this answer is helpful to you! Let me know if you have any other questions as you work through your analysis.  
-Hannah

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