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J Wrist Surg 2013; 02(04): 285-287
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1359421
Editorial
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Statistical Errors in Clinical Studies

David J. Slutsky Editor-in-Chief
1   The Hand and Wrist Institute, Torrance, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
08 November 2013 (online)

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Statistics are an integral part of any scientific paper. Unfortunately, statistical errors are common, which can falsely legitimize data. As Song et al[1] noted “The inappropriate use of statistical analysis can lead to incorrect conclusions”. Paul Manske[2] in his editorial entitled: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics (quote by British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, 1804–1881) noted that statistical analysis in scientific papers had acquired a shady reputation in part because it had been used to manipulate facts, rather than evaluate them which is embodied by the saying that “ Statistics will prove anything, even the truth" (author unknown).

Szabo[3] noted that statistics is all about data analysis. Application of the best statistical methodology to poor-quality data is analogous to claiming "the operation was a success but the patient died." Knowledge of the appropriate statistical test to apply in any given situation is important, but so is the ability to recognize common statistical errors.