Basics of Statistical Comparisons
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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

A Psychophysics Paradigm for the Collection and Analysis of Similarity Judgments
Published on: March 1, 2022
Amir Maroof Khan1, Ashish Goel2
1Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Correspondence to: Dr Amir Maroof Khan, 414, Medical College building, UCMS and GTB Hospital, Shahadra, Delhi 110 095. khanamirmaroof@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
All study designs in medical research, barring descriptive studies, involve comparative analysis to achieve its objective/s. Comparisons between groups based on outcomes, or risk factors, or interventions, are the basis of hypotheses in evidence-based medicine. Statistical tests support in making criterion-based decisions about the validity of the hypothesis. A basic knowledge of statistical comparisons helps medical researchers to apply valid statistical tests. Novice medical researchers struggle to decide when, and which statistical test must be applied. There is a need to further reduce the mathematical jargon in statistics related publications for medical researchers. In this article, we aim to provide the readers with practical pointers about the applied aspects of basic statistical comparisons in medical research.
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