P-Value Statistic Comes under Criticism

by Mary Beth Nierengarten •

How to Determine Clinically Relevant findings

  • What was the quality of the study design?
  • Does the research report on the decisions made in analyzing data that affect the statistical results, such as dealing with outliers or missing data?
  • Does the research indicate how much the results would differ if other decisions had been made?
  • What analyses were done but not included in the research report?
  • How do the results of the research square with prior knowledge?
  • Have ways of incorporating prior knowledge into the analysis been considered?
  • Is there a plausible explanation to explain the outcome?