Statistical Interpretation Of Results Research Articles

Neurological research in children: challenges and misconceptions

Conducting clinical research in children with neurological disorders can be challenging. In the USA, the relative frequency of many neurological disorders is lower in children than in adults. As a result, clinicians and peer reviewers might be less familiar with paediatric neurological research compared with research in adults. When the time comes to write up study findings and submit a paper for publication, researchers in paediatric neurology can sometimes face a review process dominated by specialists in adult disciplines. Identification of differences between paediatric and adult clinical research could help to reduce unnecessary biases that frequently arise during the peer review process, enabling appropriate evaluation of high-quality clinical research in children. I suggest that considerations during peer review should include differences between adult and paediatric clinical research with respect to appropriate study design, choice of suitable outcomes, procedures for ethics approval and informed consent, and interpretation of statistical results.

Improving Knowledge-Sharing Intentions: A Study in Indonesian Service Industries

Managers of service firms should improve the knowledge-sharing intentions among employees to obtain knowledge stored in them and use it to provide better services to customers. Across types of organizations, especially professional bureaucracies and operating adhocracies, one question is whether service firms can use the same information technology infrastructure strategy to improve workers’ knowledge-sharing intentions. To address this question, 347 respondents working in service industries participated in this study, and focus group discussions were conducted among representatives of those firms to produce better interpretations of statistical results. Findings suggest a weak but significant relationship between information technology infrastructure and knowledge-sharing intentions. While entering a new normal period after the COVID-19 pandemic, effective information technology infrastructures appear to represent a natural and ordinary facility. Despite operating in disparate organization types, managers in both professional bureaucracies and operating adhocracies should build trust and relationships with workers to increase knowledge-sharing intentions.

Distinct Susceptibility Patterns of Active and Relict Landslides Reveal Distinct Triggers: A Case in Northwestern Turkey

To understand the factors that make certain areas especially prone to landslides, statistical approaches are typically used. The interpretation of statistical results in areas characterised by complex geological and geomorphological patterns can be challenging, and this makes the understanding of the causes of landslides more difficult. In some cases, landslide inventories report information on the state of activity of landslides, adding a temporal dimension that can be beneficial in the analysis. Here, we used an inventory covering a portion of Northwestern Turkey to demonstrate that active and relict landslides (that is, landslides that occurred in the past and are now stabilised) could be related to different triggers. To do so, we built two landslide susceptibility models and observed that the spatial patterns of susceptibility were completely distinct. We found that these patterns were correlated with specific controlling factors, suggesting that active landslides are regulated by current rainfalls while relict landslides may represent a signature of past earthquakes on the landscape. The importance of this result resides in that we obtained it with a purely data-driven approach, and this was possible because the active/relict landslide classification in the inventory was accurate.

High school mathematics teachers’ competence on the contents of a quantitative research paper

<span>Competence in research is an attractive feature that should be established for all practitioners because specialists with training and expertise in research will recognize strategic thinking, interpretation, and synthesizing more easily. Hence, this study aimed to describe the knowledge competency among junior high school mathematics teachers on the research processes applied on the contents of the various sections of a quantitative research paper. The descriptive method of research has been used to characterize the knowledge competence of 108 junior high school teachers on the research processes. The study used the research skill test, which was a researcher-made instrument, consisting of 50 multiple choice items with four choices each. The instrument went through the process of validity and reliability analysis obtaining a good result of 0.81. This study revealed that they were “novice” or had achieved the learning level of competency on the research processes applied on the contents of the different parts of a quantitative research paper. More so, they identified that interpretation of statistical results was a challenging part of doing a research paper.</span>

Participant followup rate can bias structural imaging measures in longitudinal studies

Longitudinal MRI analysis is essential to accurately describe neuroanatomical changes over time. Loss of participants to followup (dropout) in longitudinal studies is inevitable and can lead to great difficulty in interpretation of statistical results if dropout is correlated with a study outcome or exposure. Beyond this, technical aspects of longitudinal MRI analysis require specialised processing pipelines to improve reliability while avoiding bias towards individual timepoints. In this article we test whether there is an additional problem that must be considered in longitudinal imaging studies, namely whether dropout has an impact on the function of FreeSurfer, a popular software pipeline used to estimate important structural brain metrics.We find that the number of acquisitions available per individual can impact the estimation of cortical thickness and brain volume using the FreeSurfer longitudinal pipeline, and can induce group differences in brain metrics. The effect on trajectories of brain metrics is smaller than the effect on brain metrics.

Kvalitet života studenata Visoke zdravstvene škole strukovnih studija "Medika"

Self-assessment of quality of students life gives a feedback information on perception of physical health, psychological state of being, social relations, environment as well as of general quality of life. Aim research is to assess quality of life of students of vocational college school, and then to cross-examine with social demography of students sample. Methodology: Sample consists of 50 students of higher medical school of vocational studies "Medika" in Belgrade, Loznica, Krusevac and Vrbas. Questionnaire of social and demographical characteristics and Questionnaire on quality of life of World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) have been used. Statistical interpretation of results uses descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, interquartile range, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney test. Results indicate a relatively high quality of students life. Significant difference has been established between students of the first and second year of studies, in domain of general life quality and psychological state (p<0,05). In domains of general life quality, psychological and social functioning, difference can be observed between students that study in Belgrade and in other towns. Statistically significant difference has not been established between four quality of life domains (Physical health, Conclusion: Psychological, Social relationships, Environment) and sample stratifications: gender, age, studies, work status and marriage status. Quality of life can influence daily functioning of individuals in various life domains.

A pleasant experience of peer evaluation in statistical education

In recent years there have been major changes in the structure of statistics education at the Faculty of Medicine. A major factor in this change is the increased importance of practical projects evaluated by peer evaluation. In this discussion, I describe my experience of applying peer evaluation in teaching and show results of comparison of peer evaluation and self-assessment on the same projects. The mean score of peer evaluation was 9.1, but the mean score of self-assessment 9.4. Students with lower grades had higher tendency to overestimate their own ability than students with higher grades. Peer evaluation has led to increased quality of assignments and provides students with useful practical training in presentation and interpretation of statistical results. Peer-assessment has been a pleasant experience for both students and teachers.

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF EUDRAGIT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MICROPARTICLES OF WATER SOLUBLE DRUG USING QUALITY BY DESIGN APPROACH

Objective: In the present protocol, employability of polymethacrylate polymer Eudragit RS100 for development of microparticles of water soluble drug with desired values of response variables was investigated by central composite optimization design through application of Design Expert® software (Series DX10).
 Methods: The microparticles were developed by emulsion solvent evaporation process employing Eudragit RS100. Two effective independent variables drug: polymer ratio and stirring speed were selected to assess performance prospective of Eudragit on mean particle size, entrapment efficiency, percent yield and drug release in 12 h of microparticles. Thirteen batches generated by software were prepared and subjected to different characterization test parameters obligatory for the evaluation of formulation. Validation of optimization model and Statistical interpretation of results was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
 Results: ANOVA indicated that the independent variables had significant effect on response variables. Optimized formulation demonstrated close agreement amongst experimental and predicted responses with high desirability factor. In vitro drug liberation study for optimized formulation proposed a sustained release of drug from microparticles.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, optimization technique was imperative in indicating the efficient applicability of Eudragit RS100 polymer in controlling the drug release of hydrophilic drugs.

Organizational-economic mechanism of regional development of high-tech engineering

The article contains a study on the prospective tendencies and problems of the development of science-intensive enterprises of rocket and space engineering. Information base of statistical interpretation of results, using methods of logical analysis, synthesis of information and graphical interpretation of results. It was revealed that the primary tasks in the development of science-intensive enterprises of the rocket and space machine-building are the instability of financial results, the state monopoly on organizational design and ensuring the increase in the quality of products. It was proved that the development of rocket and space machine-building enterprises requires improvement of the levers and methods of state regulation of the industry and attraction of private investors. It is also necessary to concentrate all functions and levers of management of the space industry, especially in terms of financial flows, product quality, control of production activities.

OPTIMIZATION OF COMPONENT VARIABLES BY STATISTICAL APPROACH FOR DESIGN OF CHRONOTHERAPEUTIC DOSAGE FORM FOR HYPERTENSION

Objective: Blood pressure (BP) pursues circadian rhythms projecting its highest values during early morning and lowest during night. The aim of the present investigation was to design a newer programmable chronotherapy based capsule system containing delayed release microspheres of losartan potassium for effective management of hypertension.
 Methods: First, the microspheres were prepared with Eudragit RS100 by optimization technique through the application of Design Expert® software. The optimized microsphere formulation was filled in a capsule shell, and these shells were coated with 10% w/v Eudragit L100:Eudragit S100 (in ratio 1:2), in isopropyl alcohol: water as solvent system, to provide the necessary delay in emptying of capsule content. The whole capsular system was evaluated by various characteristic formulation parameters. Validation of optimization model and statistical interpretation of results was done using analysis of variance.
 Results: The results indicated that the optimized triple coated capsule shells showed an extended release of drug from microspheres after a lag time of 4 h.
 Conclusion: Conclusively, the chronotherapeutic system of losartan potassium was successfully developed to be dosed at bedtime that could benefit from the known circadian rhythms of the disease to control the BP for once a day therapy

Interpretation of statistical results

The appropriate interpretation of the statistical results is crucial to understand the advances in medical science. The statistical tools allow us to transform the uncertainty and apparent chaos in nature to measurable parameters which are applicable to our clinical practice. The importance of understanding the meaning and actual extent of these instruments is essential for researchers, the funders of research and for professionals who require a permanent update based on good evidence and supports to decision making. Various aspects of the designs, results and statistical analysis are reviewed, trying to facilitate his comprehension from the basics to what is most common but no better understood, and bringing a constructive, non-exhaustive but realistic look.

Analysis of statistical problems in clinical research articles of oncology

Objective To investigate the application of statistical methods in clinical research articles of oncology in China. Methods The core journals in Chinese oncology journals were retrieved in Wanfang Data, and the application of statistical methods in the clinical research articles published in the first issue of 2017 were analyzed, including the selection of statistical indicators, the selection of statistical methods and the interpretation of statistical results. Results A total of 176 clinical research articles from 24 journals were taken into the study. In the selection of statistical indicators, 12.6% (16 articles) used the description method of normal distribution data for the skewness distribution measurement data; 37.9% (47 articles) described the count data with samples <20 as a percentage; 14.5% (9 articles) replaced the constituent percentages with composition ratios. In the selection of statistical methods, 10.3% (12 articles) did not perform analysis of variance when comparing among multiple groups, and the t test was used to compare each other directly. 15.1% (8 articles) disregarded the preconditions of the use of the χ 2 test. In the interpretation of statistical results, 18.4% (27 articles) confused the statistical significance with biological significance. Conclusions The statistical problems are widespread in Chinese oncology clinical research articles, involving the entire process from study design to interpretation of results. Scientific research management departments, clinical researchers, and journal editorial board need to work together to improve the scientificity of clinical scientific research results of oncology in China. Key words: Oncology; Clinical studies; Medical statistics

Characterization of the Types of Sweeteners Consumed in Honduras.

Sweeteners are found in all types of foods, and their high consumption is associated with chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, among others. A characterization was carried out of food products with sweeteners from the three biggest supermarkets at a national level; they were identified by the list of ingredients and classified according to caloric or non-caloric intake, and pursuant to their country of origin. A statistical interpretation of results was made using descriptive measures such as the number of times the sweeteners were found in the formulation of the products and how many of them were found in a product at the same time. In total, 341 products were evaluated and classified according to the processed food categories of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile. The category of beverages had the highest quantity of products with sweeteners, and their consumption by the inhabitants represents a high exposure. Overall, 60.1% of the products evaluated were of US origin; these US exports have a significant impact on the Honduran market. A high-fructose corn syrup caloric sweetener was the one most frequently found in these products; at least 51% are combined with additional sweeteners to increase the sweetening effect.

Divided We Fall: How Ratios Undermine Strategy Research

Using ratios complicates the interpretation of statistical results. Despite scholars’ previous admonitions regarding this practice, the use of ratios in strategy research persists. In this study, w...

Relative effect sizes for measures of risk

ABSTRACTEffect sizes are an important component of experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation of statistical results. In some situations, an effect size of clinical or practical importance may be unknown to the researcher. In other situations, the researcher may be interested in comparing observed effect sizes to known standards to quantify clinical importance. In these cases, the notion of relative effect sizes (small, medium, large) can be useful as benchmarks. Although there is generally an extensive literature on relative effect sizes for continuous data, little of this research has focused on relative effect sizes for measures of risk that are common in epidemiological or biomedical studies. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to extend existing relative effect sizes to the relative risk, odds ratio, hazard ratio, rate ratio, and Mantel–Haenszel odds ratio for related samples. In most scenarios with equal group allocation, effect sizes of 1.22, 1.86, and 3.00 can be taken as small, medium, and large, respectively. The odds ratio for a non rare event is a notable exception and modified relative effect sizes are 1.32, 2.38, and 4.70 in that situation.

A “Diagnosis Method" for the Analysis of Epidemiological Studies. A Reevaluation of Pan, et al. Arch Intern Med 2012, 172:555.

The medical literature has been subject to extensive criticism for a lack of accuracy and reproducibility. A major cause, in our view, is misleading or inappropriate presentation and interpretation of statistical results. Emphasis on percentages or relative values (odds ratios, relative risk, and hazard ratio) always reduces and often obscures information. We suggest a more direct method using the 2 x 2 matrix commonly employed in diagnosis testing. We demonstrate the “diagnosis method,” by evaluating a previously published paper (Pan A, et al.: Arch Intern Med 2012, 172:555-563). on the risk of red meat for disease, focussing on cancer risk. The direct analysis shows very small effects of red meat. Given the generally large errors in the independent variable measured by food frequency questionnaire, even this low predictability is likely to be unreliable. In combination with other studies in the literature, the analysis suggests that red meat is unlikely to be a risk for cancer. The major point is that statistical significance does not necessarily point to biological or clinical importance.

Effect size guidelines for individual differences researchers

Individual differences researchers very commonly report Pearson correlations between their variables of interest. Cohen (1988) provided guidelines for the purposes of interpreting the magnitude of a correlation, as well as estimating power. Specifically, r=0.10, r=0.30, and r=0.50 were recommended to be considered small, medium, and large in magnitude, respectively. However, Cohen's effect size guidelines were based principally upon an essentially qualitative impression, rather than a systematic, quantitative analysis of data. Consequently, the purpose of this investigation was to develop a large sample of previously published meta-analytically derived correlations which would allow for an evaluation of Cohen's guidelines from an empirical perspective. Based on 708 meta-analytically derived correlations, the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles corresponded to correlations of 0.11, 0.19, and 0.29, respectively. Based on the results, it is suggested that Cohen's correlation guidelines are too exigent, as <3% of correlations in the literature were found to be as large as r=0.50. Consequently, in the absence of any other information, individual differences researchers are recommended to consider correlations of 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30 as relatively small, typical, and relatively large, in the context of a power analysis, as well as the interpretation of statistical results from a normative perspective.

Applied statistics in ecology: common pitfalls and simple solutions

The most common statistical pitfalls in ecological research are those associated with data exploration, the logic of sampling and design, and the interpretation of statistical results. Although one can find published errors in calculations, the majority of statistical pitfalls result from incorrect logic or interpretation despite correct numerical calculations. There are often simple solutions to avoiding these problems that require only patience, clarity of thinking, probabilistic insight, and a reduced reliance on out‐of‐the‐box approaches. Some of these trouble spots are inherent to all statistical analyses and others are particularly insidious in ecology where true controls or replication are challenging, small sample sizes are common, and correctly linking mathematical constructs and ecological ideas is essential. Here we summarize the most common statistical pitfalls observed over nearly a century of combined consulting and research experience in ecological statistics. We provide short, simple solutions.

Construct Validity Issues with Negative Denominator Ratios

We examine how ratios in which the denominator can become negative suffer from at least two construct validity issues. First, negative denominators can cause the variable to not display the properties of a coherent continuous variable. Second, the ratio, as an intended measure of a construct, may no longer reflect the theoretical construct of interest. We examine the case of equity ratios to illustrate these two issues and show how these issues influence statistical analyses which can interfere with the interpretation of statistical results. Finally, we propose potential solutions to the issues discussed.

Research on Welded Thin NiTi Wires and Orthodontic Bands

NiTi welded joints in the form of wires or thin blades are used in orthodontic appliances. Problems arise due to welding heat transfer sections specifically reduced. The research is focused on the welding flame, laser and ultrasound. The main objective is to define the characteristics of use of welded joints based on mechanical testing of tensile, hardness determination, metallographic examination. The study was enjoyed on a statistical interpretation of results. The results highlight the comparative strengths, weaknesses of the processes used respectively. It highlights opportunities offered by laser welding process is related to the flame, i.e. ultrasound.