Statistical pitfalls in medical research

Malawi Med J. 2008 Mar;20(1):15-8. doi: 10.4314/mmj.v20i1.10949.

Abstract

In conducting and reporting of medical research, there are some common pitfalls in using statistical methodology which may result in invalid inferences being made. This paper is aimed to highlight to inexperienced statisticians or non-statistician some of the common statistical pitfalls encountered when using statistics to interpret data in medical research. We also comment on good practices to avoid these pitfalls.

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Humans
  • Research Design
  • Statistics as Topic*