Objective To assess the frequency and the proportion of correct use of statistical analytic methods in five Chinese otorhinolaryngological journals from 2000 to 2002.
Methods The statistical methods used in all original articles (n=1 331) published in these journals in three years were evaluated.
Results Only 52.0 % of the articles were used statistical analytic methods. And the frequency was higher in basic research (63.5%) than that in clinical research (48.7%) (P＜0.01). The proportions of correct use of statistical analytic methods in the five journals varied from 48.7% to 72.7%, with an average rate of 56.5%. The most frequently used statistical methods were t tests (37.9%), contingency tables (chi-square test) (28.2%) and ANOVAs (14.3%). The most common errors were on the presentation of P values without specifying the test used, using t tests instead of ANOVAs in the comparison among three and more groups, and using unpaired t tests when paired tests were required.
Conclusions The rate of application statistical analytic methods is rather high, but incorrect or inappropriate use remain a serious problem.
Citation：
LUO Gang,LIANG Chuanyu. A Study on the Statistical Methods Used in Five Chinese Journals of Otorhinolaryngology. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, 2004, 04(6): 398-401. doi:
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Copyright © the editorial department of Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine of West China Medical Publisher. All rights reserved
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- 1. ［1］Hu LP. Diagnosis and illustration of inappropriate application of biostatistics [ M ]. Beijing: Chinese Army medical science Publishing house, 1999:30-79.
- 2. 胡良平.主编.医学统计应用错误的诊断与释疑[M].北京:军事医学科学出版社,1999:30～79.
- 3. ［2］Wang SX, Shi F. Application of common statistical methods in five core Chinese medical journals in 1984 [J]. Chinese Medical Journal, 1986; 66(9) : 548-554.
- 4. 王绍贤,史凡.中华医学会五种主要杂志1984年论文中常见的统计问题分析[J].中华医学杂志,1986;66(9):548～554.
- 5. ［3］Wang Q, Zhang BH. Current use of statistical methods in five core Chinese Medical Journals [J]. Chinese medical journal,1998; 78(3): 230-233.
- 6. 王倩,张博恒.五种中华医学会系列杂志论著中统计方法的应用现况[J].中华医学杂志,1998;78(3):230～233.
- 7. ［4］Rosenfeld RM, Rockette HE. Biostatistics in Otolaryngology Journals [J]. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 1991; 117(10) :1 172-1 176.
- 8. ［5］Juzych MS, Shin DH, Seyedsad M, Sieger SW, Juzych LA.Statistical techniques in Ophthalmic Journals [ J ]. Arch Ophfhalmol, 1992; 110(9): 1 225-1 229.
- 9. ［6］Morris RW. A statistical study of papers in the journal of bone and joint surgery [BR] 1984 [J]. JBone Joint Surg, 1988;70B( 1 ): 242-246.
- 10. ［7］Kanter MH, Taylor JR. Accuracy of statistical methods in transfusion: a review of articles from July August 1992 through June 1993 [J]. Transfusion, 1994; 34(8): 697-701.
- 11. ［8］Emerson JD, Colditz GA. Use of statistical analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine [J]. N Engl J Mad, 1983; 309(12): 709-713.
- 12. ［9］Schwart SJ, SturrM, Golberg G. Statistical methods in rehabilitation literature: A survey of recent publications [ J ]. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 1996; 77(5): 497-500.
- 13. ［10］Feinstein AR. Clinical biostatistics. XXV. Survey of statistical procedures in general medical journals [J]. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 1974; 15(1): 97-107.
