Biochemia Medica, Vol. 25 No. 1, 2015.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2015.001
The misuse and abuse of statistics in biomedical research
Matthew S. Thiese
orcid.org/0000-0003-4505-2907
; Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Zachary C. Arnold
; Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Skyler D. Walker
; Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Abstract
Statistics are the primary tools for assessing relationships and evaluating study questions. Unfortunately, these tools are often misused, either inadvertently because of ignorance or lack of planning, or conspicuously to achieve a specified result. Data abuses include the incorrect application of statistical tests, lack of transparency and disclosure about decisions that are made, incomplete or incorrect multivariate model building, or exclusion of outliers. Individually, each of these actions may completely invalidate a study, and often studies are victim to more than one offense. Increasingly there are tools and guidance for researchers to look to, including the development of an analysis plan and a series of study specific checklists, in order to prevent or mitigate these offenses.
Keywords
a priori; analytical plan; statistical methods; disclosure; transparency; biostatistics
Hrčak ID:
139253
URI
Publication date:
15.2.2015.
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