Data analysis techniques in behavioral pediatrics: some practical advice

A review of the last three volumes of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics revealed that 27% of the articles used correlations, 17% chi 2, 16% t tests, 15% analysis of variance or covariance, and 13% involved regression analysis. Multivariate techniques, discriminant or factor analysis, logistic regression, and sensitivity/specificity were used in less than 5% of articles; the average number of statistical techniques per article was 2.5. These statistical techniques are described in general, conceptual terms in regard to appropriate and inappropriate usage. Clinical examples are provided. Familiarity with these techniques allows the reader "statistical access" to almost 90% of the articles in behavioral pediatrics and other areas of the medical literature.