Confidence - and clinical importance - in research findings

1990 ◽  
Vol 156 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J. Gardner ◽  
Douglas G. Altman

Testing the null hypothesis has been the cornerstone of much statistical theory and practice over the last few decades. During this time it has encroached on most disciplines and become widespread in use within them. There are now few research papers in the scientific literature where the outcome of one or more hypothesis tests is not reported. With this ‘progress' there has undoubtedly been an improvement in the way in which data have been collected, analysed, and interpreted, and a move towards more objective evaluation of study results.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lakens

Due to the strong overreliance on p-values in the scientific literature some researchers have argued that p-values should be abandoned or banned, and that we need to move beyond p-values and embrace practical alternatives. When proposing alternatives to p-values statisticians often commit the ‘Statistician’s Fallacy’, where they declare which statistic researchers really ‘want to know’. Instead of telling researchers what they want to know, statisticians should teach researchers which questions they can ask. In some situations, the answer to the question they are most interested in will be the p-value. As long as null-hypothesis tests have been criticized, researchers have suggested to include minimum-effect tests and equivalence tests in our statistical toolbox, and these tests (even though they return p-values) have the potential to greatly improve the questions researchers ask. It is clear there is room for improvement in how we teach p-values. If anyone really believes p-values are an important cause of problems in science, preventing the misinterpretation of p-values by developing better evidence-based education and user-centered statistical software should be a top priority. Telling researchers which statistic they should use has distracted us from examining more important questions, such as asking researchers what they want to know when they do scientific research. Before we can improve our statistical inferences, we need to improve our statistical questions.


Author(s):  
Chiara Vari ◽  
Patrizia Velotti ◽  
Alessandro Crisi ◽  
Silvana Carlesimo ◽  
Antonio G. Richetta ◽  
...  

Abstract. A broad range of literature reported higher rates of psychopathology and personality disorders among patients affected by skin conditions. Specifically, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations are more frequently reported by patients affected by skin diseases. This study aimed to examine psychopathology and personality in a group of patients affected by psoriasis by means of a self-report measure (Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – MCMI-III) and a performance-based technique (Wartegg Drawing Completion Test [WDCT], CWS). Study results showed a higher rate of passive-aggressiveness and paranoia among psoriatic patients (MCMI-III). When assessing patients through the performance-based technique (WDCT, CWS), a higher rate of global rejection (GR) – linked by previous literature to suicidal ideation – and a lower affective quality of the drawings emerged. We discuss the clinical importance of detecting psychological issues in dermatology patients by means of a multimethod assessment that goes beyond patients’ self-evaluation of their symptoms and emotions.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inc. OEAPS

Authoritative and critical reviews of the latest achievements of natural and technical disciplines are published by Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences. Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences, an international peerreviewed journal, publishes both theoretical and experimental highquality documents of constant interest, previously unpublished in journals, in the field of technical and natural sciences, whose purpose is to promote theory and practice. In addition to the peerreviewed original research papers, the Editorial Board welcomes original research reports, modern surveys and communications in a broadly defined field of technical and natural sciences.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inc. OEAPS ◽  
Михаил Владимирович Кармаза ◽  
Роман Владимирович Мотылев ◽  
Вероника Александровна Одрузова ◽  
Нишчхал ◽  
...  

Authoritative and critical reviews of the latest achievements of natural and technical disciplines are published by Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences.Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences, an international peer¬reviewed journal, publishes both theoretical and experimental high¬quality documents of constant interest, previously unpublished in journals, in the field of technical and natural sciences, whose purpose is to promote theory and practice. In addition to the peer¬reviewed original research papers, the Editorial Board welcomes original research reports, modern surveys and communications in a broadly defined field of technical and natural sciences.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Саида Адиловна Низамова ◽  
Alina Evgenievna Averina ◽  
Руслан Сергеевич Решетов ◽  
Дмитрий Алексеевич Погожев ◽  
Мария Михайловна Кошелькова ◽  
...  

Authoritative and critical reviews of the latest achievements of natural and technical disciplines are published by Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences. Journal of Technical and Natural Sciences, an international peerreviewed journal, publishes both theoretical and experimental highquality documents of constant interest, previously unpublished in journals, in the field of technical and natural sciences, whose purpose is to promote theory and practice. In addition to the peerreviewed original research papers, the Editorial Board welcomes original research reports, modern surveys and communications in a broadly defined field of technical and natural sciences


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Tas ◽  
S Karabulut ◽  
K Erturk ◽  
D Duranyildiz

Aim: Caveolin-1 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of various carcinomas and its expression affects the survival of cancer patients. However, the molecular function of caveolin-1 and its possible clinical importance has remained uncertain in gastric cancer. No clinical trial has examined serum caveolin-1 levels in gastric cancer patients so far, instead all available results were provided from studies conducted on tissue samples. In the current study, we analyzed the soluble serum caveolin-1 levels in gastric cancer patients, and specified its associations with the clinical factors and prognosis. Material and Methods: Sixty-three patients with pathologically confirmed gastric cancer were enrolled into the trial. Serum caveolin-1 concentrations were detected by ELISA method. Thirty healthy subjects were also included in the study. Results: The median age of patients was 62 years, ranging from 28 to 82 years. The serum caveolin-1 levels in gastric cancer patients were significantly higher than those in control group (p < 0.001). The common clinical parameters including patient age, sex, lesion localization, histopathology, histological grade, disease stage, and various serum tumor markers (e.g. LDH, CEA, and CA 19.9) were not found to be associated with serum caveolin-1 levels (p > 0.05). Similarly, no correlation existed between serum caveolin-1 concentration and chemotherapy responsiveness (p = 0.93). Furthermore, serum caveolin-1 level was not found to have a prognostic role (p = 0.16). Conclusion: Even though it is neither predictive nor prognostic, serum caveolin-1 level may be a valuable diagnostic indicator in patients with gastric cancer. Key


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-53
Author(s):  
Petr Hlaďo

The aim of this overview study is to synthesize Czech, Slovak and foreign empirical findings on the choice of further course of education and career. Attention is focused specifically on social influences as a psychological phenomenon affecting this decision-making process in lower secondary school students at the end of compulsory schooling. The main attention is paid to the roles of parents and family, particularly the influence of family background and family processes. Another issue is the influence of peers, teachers and career counsellors on the choice of further course of education and career. The synthesis of research findings is based primarily on an analysis of research papers published in journals.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 828-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulnara Sharaborova ◽  
Derek H.T. Walker ◽  
Guinevere Gilbert

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary report and reflect on a recently passed PhD thesis (Sharaborova, 2014b) related to project management topics. Design/methodology/approach – This paper focussed on narrative reflection upon the completed doctoral journey. Findings – This paper presents the thesis findings, the research models, the guide in dealing with the early warning signs that developed as a result of this research and the contribution made to theory and practice. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the research and the perspectives of the further diffusion of the research findings are considered. Originality/value – This TRN is a PhD candidate’s point of view as well as the opinions of the scientific research supervisors about the doctoral study and its outcome. The paper could be useful for novice researchers who wish to conduct their research and did not yet make a decision.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Coolen-Schrijner ◽  
Frank P. A. Coolen ◽  
Matthias C.M. Troffaes ◽  
Thomas Augustin

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Marcos ◽  
David Denyer

This article addresses how knowing and practising unfolds in collaborative research amongst practitioners from a large consulting and business services group and academics from a UK School of Management. Dialogue enabled actors to cross between theory and practice by providing a ‘space’ for support, challenge, exchange and experimentation. However, this ‘space’ was fragile and the insensitive actions of one individual, driven by institutional pressure to exploit the project for competitive advantage, resulted in withdrawal and the re-establishment of traditional divisions. Our view is that collaborative research is not necessarily an exercise in producing, transferring and implementing research findings but is better thought of as knowledge integration through a dialogue of theory and practice. The article contributes to the ongoing debate about the relevance of management research and the theoretical development of knowledge co-production.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document