Research Pearls
2 Results
- Editorial Commentary
Editorial Commentary: The Power of Interpretation: Utilizing the P Value as a Spectrum, in Addition to Effect Size, Will Lead to Accurate Presentation of Results
ArthroscopyVol. 38Issue 4p1324–1325Published in issue: April, 2022- Payam W. Sabetian
- Benjamin G. Domb
Cited in Scopus: 1Statistics have helped develop evidence-based medicine. Comparing groups and rejecting (or not) a null hypothesis is a main principle of the scientific method. Many studies have demonstrated that drawing conclusions based on the statistical result of a dichotomic P value instead of a spectrum can mislead us to conclude that there is “no difference” between two groups, or two treatments. In addition to the P value, the utilization of effect size (magnitude of difference between studied groups), may help us obtain a better global understanding of the statement “no effect”. - Editorial
Authors Dichotomize Medical Research Findings as Significant Versus Not Significant, Creating a False Sense of Certainty, and Report Outcomes on Patients Whose Results Have Been Previously Reported Without Proper Disclosure
ArthroscopyVol. 38Issue 4p1029–1030Published in issue: April, 2022- James H. Lubowitz
- Mark P. Cote
- Jefferson C. Brand
- Michael J. Rossi
Cited in Scopus: 2Statistical significance dichotomizes research findings into significant versus not significant, creating a false sense of certainty. It is insufficient to mindlessly report results as significant versus not significant without providing a quantitative estimate of the uncertainty of the data. Authors could provide a confidence interval, draw a P value function graph, or run a Bayesian analysis. Authors could calculate and report a Surprise or S value. Most importantly, authors could thoughtfully consider how the uncertainty within their research data informs the results of their study.
