Abstract
Purpose
Errors in the statistical presentation and analyses of data in the medical literature
remain common despite efforts to improve the review process, including the creation
of guidelines for authors and the use of statistical reviewers. This article discusses
common elementary statistical errors seen in manuscripts recently submitted to Clinical Therapeutics and describes some ways in which authors and reviewers can identify errors and thus
correct them before publication.
Methods
A nonsystematic sample of manuscripts submitted to Clinical Therapeutics over the past year was examined for elementary statistical errors.
Findings
Clinical Therapeutics has many of the same errors that reportedly exist in other journals.
Implications
Authors require additional guidance to avoid elementary statistical errors and incentives
to use the guidance. Implementation of reporting guidelines for authors and reviewers
by journals such as Clinical Therapeutics may be a good approach to reduce the rate of statistical errors.
Key words
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References
- Basic statistical reporting for articles published in clinical medical journals: the SAMPL Guidelines.in: Smart P. Maisonneuve H. Polderman A. Science Editors׳ Handbook. European Association of Science Editors, 2013 (http://www.carolinas.vcom.edu/research/files/Statistical_Considerations_Article.pdf (retrieved 2015 June 12))
- Statistical errors in manuscripts submitted to.Biochemia Medica journal. Biochemia Medica. 2009; 19: 294-300
- How to report statistics in medicine.Second Edition. American College of Physicians, 2006
The CONSORT flow diagram. http://www.consort-statement.org/consort-statement/flow-diagram (retrieved 2015 September 8).
- Guidelines for statistical reporting in articles for medical journals. Amplifications and explanations.Ann Intern Med. 1988; 108: 266-273
Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 25, 2015
Accepted:
October 17,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
