Statistical methods and common problems in medical or biomedical science research.

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Statistical methods and common problems in medical or biomedical science research.

Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol. 2017;9(5):157-163

Authors: Yan F, Robert M, Li Y

Abstract
Statistical thinking is crucial for studies in medical and biomedical areas. There are several pitfalls of using statistics in these areas involving in experimental design, data collection, data analysis and data interpretation. This review paper describes basic statistical design problems in biomedical or medical studies and directs the basic scientists to better use of statistical thinking. The contents of this paper were based on previous literatures and our daily basic support work. It includes the sample size determination and sample allocation in experimental design stage, numerical and graphical data summarization, and statistical test methods as well as the related common errors at design and analytic stages. Literatures and our daily support works show that misunderstanding and misusing of statistical concept and statistical test methods are significant problems. These may include ignoring the sample size and data distribution, incorrect summarization measurement, wrong statistical test methods especially for repeated measures, ignoring the assumption for t-test or ANOVA test, failing to perform the adjustment for multiple comparison. This review intends to help the researchers in basic medical or biomedical areas to enhance statistical thinking and make fewer errors in study design and analysis of their studies.

PMID: 29209453 [PubMed]

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