Attack on statistical significance: A balanced approach for medical research
Abhaya Indrayan
Biostatistics Consultant, Max Healthcare, New Delhi
Most medical research around the world is empirical and uses data to derive a result. Many researchers substantially depend on statistical evidence such as P-values to decide whether an effect of a specific factor is present or not. Now, there is a storm around the world, and the P-value, particularly the resulting statistical significance, has been not just questioned but also sought to be abolished altogether. Abandoning statistical significance has the potential to change research in empirical sciences such as medicine forever. This article discusses the arguments in favour and against this contention and pleads that medical scientists present a balanced picture in their articles where P-values have a role but are not as dominant as is currently seen in most publications. The discussion in the following article would also make medical researchers aware of this raging controversy, help them to understand the involved nuances, and equip them to prepare a better report of their research.
Full article available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7371070/
Biostatistics Consultant, Max Healthcare, New Delhi
Most medical research around the world is empirical and uses data to derive a result. Many researchers substantially depend on statistical evidence such as P-values to decide whether an effect of a specific factor is present or not. Now, there is a storm around the world, and the P-value, particularly the resulting statistical significance, has been not just questioned but also sought to be abolished altogether. Abandoning statistical significance has the potential to change research in empirical sciences such as medicine forever. This article discusses the arguments in favour and against this contention and pleads that medical scientists present a balanced picture in their articles where P-values have a role but are not as dominant as is currently seen in most publications. The discussion in the following article would also make medical researchers aware of this raging controversy, help them to understand the involved nuances, and equip them to prepare a better report of their research.
Full article available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7371070/
