Transcript DHS 1. Introduction

Statistical presentation in international
scientific publications
1. Introduction
Malcolm Campbell
Lecturer in Statistics, School of Nursing, Midwifery &
Social Work, The University of Manchester
Statistical Editor, Health & Social Care in the Community
Statistical presentation
in international scientific publications
• Covering the problems involved in writing
quantitative research papers and reporting
statistical information
– an insight into what a Statistician may be looking for
when reviewing your paper
– the aims are to help you
• write statistical papers for journals
• understand reviews of your papers returned by journals
• have a better understanding of statistical reporting in
journals
– watch out for tips on statistical reporting:
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Statistical presentation
Contents
• 1. Introduction
• 2. A symptomatic review
• 3. Statistics by section
• 4. Reporting numbers (for information only)
• 5. A statistical review (group work)
• 6. Reporting more complicated findings (info only)
• 7. Conclusions
• 8. References (for information only)
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The problem
What we are aiming for
• “Research should be reported transparently so
that readers can follow what was planned, what
was done, what was found, and what conclusions
were drawn.
– The credibility of research depends on a critical
assessment by others of the strengths and weaknesses
in study design, conduct and analysis.” (von Elm et al,
2007, more of which later)
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The authors
With apologies to Roger Hargreaves
Mr Chatterbox Mr Forgetful Mr Clumsy
Mr Wrong
Mr Muddle
– Mr Chatterbox goes on and on and on beyond the word count
– Mr Forgetful forgets to read the “instructions to authors”
– Mr Clumsy uses awkward words for statistical reporting
– Mr Wrong uses the wrong statistical methods
– Mr Muddle confuses the sections of the paper
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The reviewers
Also with apologies to Roger Hargreaves
Mr Slow
Mr Worry
Mr Mean
Mr Fussy
Mr Grumble
– Mr Slow seems to spend a very long time reviewing
– Mr Worry is unduly concerned with perfection
– Mr Mean (the Statistician?) does not give due credit
– Mr Fussy is preoccupied by minor details
– Mr Grumble only gives negative comments
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The editors
After Roger Hargreaves
Mr Pedantic
– from “pedant, ped-nt’, n. a schoolmaster (Shak.); … ; one
who attaches too much importance to merely formal matters
in scholarship”
• Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary 1987
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This editor
Who is this Mr Pedantic?
• Lecturer in Statistics, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social
Work, The University of Manchester
• Statistical Editor for Health & Social Care in the Community
(HSCC), review all substantive quantitative research papers
– hard work, but intellectually stimulating and educational
– an ear for language, an eye for detail and a nose for trouble
• “I would summarise reviewing medical papers as
– difficult, time-consuming, sometimes interesting, sometimes
boring
– appreciated by journals, appreciated by authors (but perhaps
not appreciated by employers)
– usually unpaid, occasionally frustrating, and educational”
(Altman 1998)
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