A dose of common sense: Statistics serve as a way to condense research findings into easily digestible end products; however, the important parts of any paper come well before the first P value is generated. Good research requires good design, and only then can sound statistical approaches provide valid insights into complex study results. In addition, for a study’s results to be applied to our patients, not only must the design and analysis be appropriate, but we must also carefully consider issues beyond the aims of most studies, including value judgments.
Summary
Classically, EBM has focused on careful critical appraisal of study design, with relatively little consideration of the analytic approaches that provide a study’s results. Statistics can clarify study results, but if applied improperly can invalidate even a well-designed study. It is important for clinicians to recognize that statistics should also be evaluated critically when attempting to apply research findings to the care of our patients. TH
Dr. West practices in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn.
Reference
- Ioannidis JPA. Why most research findings are false. PLoS Med. 2005;2:e124.