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Accuracy of statistical methods in TRANSFUSION: a review of articles from July/August 1992 through June 1993
1Department of Pathology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Los Angeles, California.
Background:
Statistical errors have been noted in a large percentage of articles appearing in medical journals. Their incidence in a blood banking journal, however, has not been studied.
Study Design And Methods:
Original articles appearing in the journal TRANSFUSION from July 1992 through June 1993 were analyzed for correctness of statistical methods. Each article was reviewed by both a transfusion medicine physician and a statistician.
Results:
There were 122 original articles, of which 59 contained statistical methods and were reviewed. Of these, 23 (39%) contained an error in the statistical description of their data, 47 (80%) failed to describe clearly the statistical tests performed, and 44 (75%) involved an incorrect statistical test or contained an error in test calculation or interpretation. As a result of these errors, 13 (22%) of the 55 articles analyzed reported conclusions not supported by the data.
Conclusion:
Misuse of statistical methodology may not be uncommon in transfusion medicine research, and it would be prudent to give more attention to statistical methodology in such research.