Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
The misuse and abuse of statistics in biomedical research
Matthew S Thiese1, Zachary C Arnold1, Skyler D Walker1
1Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Abstract:
Statistics are the primary tools for assessing relationships and evaluating study questions. Unfortunately, these tools are often misused, either inadvertently because of ignorance or lack of planning, or conspicuously to achieve a specified result. Data abuses include the incorrect application of statistical tests, lack of transparency and disclosure about decisions that are made, incomplete or incorrect multivariate model building, or exclusion of outliers. Individually, each of these actions may completely invalidate a study, and often studies are victim to more than one offense. Increasingly there are tools and guidance for researchers to look to, including the development of an analysis plan and a series of study specific checklists, in order to prevent or mitigate these offenses.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Biostatistics: Overview
Discrete variables are...
Overview of Biostatistics in Health Sciences
Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Bias
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
Regression Toward the Mean

