scholarly journals In praise of Table 1: The importance of making better use of descriptive statistics

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Analytic Methods ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Data Analytic ◽  
Principal Criterion

AbstractAs data analytic methods in the managerial sciences become more sophisticated, the gap between the descriptive data typically presented in Table 1 and the analyses used to test the principal hypotheses advanced has become increasingly large. This contributes to several problems including: (1) the increasing likelihood that analyses presented in published research will be performed and/or interpreted incorrectly, (2) an increasing reliance on statistical significance as the principal criterion for evaluating results, and (3) the increasing difficulty of describing our research and explaining our findings to non-specialists. A set of simple methods for assessing whether hypotheses about interventions, moderator relationships and mediation, are plausible that are based on the simplest possible examination of descriptive statistics are proposed.

scholarly journals Participant Evaluation of Energy Conservation Course for People With Multiple Sclerosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgil Mathiowetz ◽  
Melody L. Busch
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Course Evaluations ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Randomized Controlled

This article discusses how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) perceive an energy conservation (EC) course. The study included 140 people with MS who reported fatigue secondary to MS and participated in a randomized controlled trial of an EC course. Descriptive data from course evaluations collected during the trial were analyzed to determine how participants perceived the quality and helpfulness of the course and ways to improve it. Descriptive statistics, percentages, and frequency of comments demonstrated that the course was rated highly among participants. Participants found the major concepts of the course and the opportunity to interact with others particularly helpful. Suggestions as to how to improve the course included small modifications to the format. The high rate of participant satisfaction supports the use of this EC course for people with MS.

Functional MRI Approaches to Studying Cognition

2018 ◽  
pp. 64-90
Author(s):  
John P. John ◽  
Pravesh Parekh
Keyword(s):  
Data Storage ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Blood Oxygen Level Dependent ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Blood Oxygen Level ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Exciting Area ◽  
Published Research ◽  
Data Analytic

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a widely used technique for studying brain substrates of cognition. The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the basics of fMRI including fundamentals of MR physics and the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast, paradigm design, data storage, image quality analysis, data pre-processing and data analytic strategies. We have discussed three illustrative examples from our published research works in schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and abnormalities of thought, perception and conation. We attempt to provide a broad understanding of the basic principles of fMRI research for clinicians and budding cognitive neuroscience researchers alike, without aiming to be exhaustive or in-depth in our coverage. We hope this primer in fMRI methods and applications would motivate the reader to peruse the additional resources cited at the end of the chapter while getting started in this exciting area of research.

scholarly journals Effect of Tobacco Cessation on Weight in a Veteran Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272096365
Author(s):  
Crystal Zhou ◽  
Nicole G. Tran ◽  
Timothy C. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Statistical Change

Introduction/Objectives: Weight gain concerns remain a barrier to tobacco cessation. Literature suggests that weight gain can occur after stopping tobacco, but continuing tobacco can have far worse outcomes. Limited information is available regarding weight gain in military personnel. The objective of this study was to evaluate weight change in veterans that stopped tobacco for a minimum of 12 months enrolled in a pharmacist managed telephone tobacco cessation clinic (PMTTCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of veterans who had been tobacco-free for 12 months enrolled in a PMTTCC were included in this analysis. Primary outcomes were change in weight (kg) and body mass index (BMI) from baseline. Descriptive data were utilized where appropriate and paired t-tests were utilized for the primary outcomes. Results: Seventy-seven patients were screened and 10 were excluded. Sixty-seven veterans met inclusion criteria and were mostly male (91%, n = 61) and Caucasian (74.6%, n = 50). At 12 months post cessation, the mean weight gain was (1.81 kg ± 6.83, P = .03) and BMI (0.51 ± 2.23 kg/m2, P = .06). Conclusions: Veterans appeared to have minimal weight gain despite statistical significance and no statistical change with BMI after 12 months of being tobacco-free. Results suggest that the long-term weight gain is minimal, and a comprehensive tobacco cessation program can be helpful to improve weight outcomes.

Incidence and pattern of leukemia in Bhutanese population: a retrospective analysis of eight years (January 2008 to December 2015)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Kuenzang Dorji ◽  
Krishna Prasad Sharma ◽  
Rinzin Jamtsho ◽  
Puja Devi Samal ◽  
Dorji Wangchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Haematological Malignancies ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Male To Female ◽  
National Referral Hospital

Introduction: The burden of haematological malignancies in developing countries is on the rise. This burden may be further aggravated in Bhutan due to the aging population and rapid modernization of the nation. Despite this, there is a paucity of information about the incidence and pattern of leukemia in the Bhutanese population. In this retrospective study, we aim to investigate the incidence and pattern of leukemia in Bhutan using a database of leukemia diagnosed at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan from January 2008 to December 2015. Methods: The diagnoses and classification of leukemias were based on the morphology of blood cells on peripheral blood and bone marrow smears. The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 populations and its 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the statistical significance. Results: In total 118 patients were diagnosed with leukemia over the period of eight years. Leukemia was found to be more frequent in male (51.69%) compared to female (48.30%) with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Acute leukemia accounted for 66.95% of all leukemia case diagnosed, whereas chronic leukemia accounted for only 33.05% of the cases. The average, annual, age-standardized incidence rate of leukemia per 100,000 population was 2.30 (95% CI: 1.87-2.73). Conclusions: The incidence and pattern of leukemia in the Bhutanese population is similar to other published literature. Leukemia is not uncommon in the Bhutanese population, thus additional studies on risk factors for leukemia in the Bhutanese population is necessary.

scholarly journals Statistical processing of pharmacological experiments results measured in ordinal and quantitative scales, if it is impossible to analyze using parametric methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-24
Author(s):  
I. B. Tsorin
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Multiple Comparisons ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Parametric Methods ◽  
Processing Data ◽  
Pharmacological Studies

The article discusses descriptive statistics of data measured in ordinal and quantitative scales, and criteria for determining the statistical significance of differences between samples when it is impossible to analyze using parametric methods. Special attention is paid to the problem of multiple comparisons of this type of data. For each method, examples of processing data obtained in pharmacological studies are given.

scholarly journals Sialoliths: A Retrospective Radiological Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Aoun ◽  
Abbass El-Outa ◽  
Ibrahim Nasseh
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Parotid Glands ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Panoramic Radiographs ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Dental Professionals

Aim: Sialoliths are salivary gland calcifications that mainly affect submandibular and parotid glands. They are detected incidentally on dental panoramic radiographs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sialoliths in a Lebanese sample and evaluate the site, gender and age distribution of such findings. Methods: In this retrospective study, 500 digital panoramic radiographs, belonging to 219 males and 281 females aged 18-88 years, were examined to identify sialoliths seen as radiopacities in the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands regions. Findings were analyzed statistically using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). Descriptive statistics were presented and Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficient were used to assess relationships between sialoliths and gender, age and site. Statistical significance was set at p=0.05. Results: In our sample of 500 radiographs, sialoliths were identified in 15 (3%). Submandibular sialoliths were the most common (1.8%) followed by parotid sialoliths (1.2%); no sublingual sialoliths were detected. Females were slightly more affected by submandibular sialoliths while males had higher prevalence of parotid sialoliths. No significant age or gender predilections were detected. Conclusion: Identifying sialoliths on panoramic radiographs by dental professionals is essential to avoid possibility of confusion with other soft tissue calcifications very common in the head and neck regions.

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