Statistical analysis in new-particle searches

We describe methods that may be used to analyze the statistical certainty to be associated with a signal for a new particle, taking the Higgs boson as an example. We suppose that one is looking for a certain signal that the new particle is produced and decays (for example, Higgs-boson production followed by decay into $W^{+}$ $W^{\mathrm{-}}$ with one W→jets and one W→μν). We also suppose that there are calculated cross sections for the signal and for the corresponding background. We address two problems. First, how can one estimate the expected statistical significance of the result of a future experiment utilizing this signal? Second, what is a good way to analyze the data when the experiment is done? We use standard statistical methods, emphasizing a simple formulation of the problems addressed. Examples from the recent literature concerning Higgs-boson production at the Superconducting Super Collider are given.