Brain asymmetry: facts and fallacies in statistical inference

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Statistics

Background:

• A 1985 article by Clark, Kessler, and Margolin questioned the use of standard statistical tests for regional cerebral metabolism.
• The authors of the critique argue that the original study's claims are unfounded.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine and refute the arguments presented by Clark, Kessler, and Margolin (1985).
• To identify and analyze the logical fallacies within the original study's statistical claims.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the statistical arguments presented in the 1985 article.
• Examination of the definitional relationships between descriptive and inferential statistics.

Main Results:

• The 1985 article provides no empirical evidence to support its claims against statistical tests for regional cerebral metabolism.
• The original study commits several logical fallacies in its reasoning about statistical inference.

Conclusions:

• The conclusions drawn by Clark, Kessler, and Margolin (1985) regarding statistical tests for regional cerebral metabolism are invalid.
• Standard statistical tests remain applicable to measures of regional cerebral metabolism.