No not really! A group of researchers have suggested lowering the p-value accepted for statistical significance from today’s most used 0.05 to 0.005. While this may reduce some problems in clinical research it will give rise to some new. And it is not at all where we should focus! (more…)
The p-value is a mathematical method for analyzing data. Unfortunately, it is often both misunderstood, misused, and miscommunicated in medical research. It’s emerging use is challenged by American Statistical Association (ASA) followed by a paper and an editorial in Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). And this is good news. (more…)
The aim of clinical research is to advance healthcare by new knowledge. This knowledge must, of course, be relevant for those it concerns, which is primarily patients and their providers. Unfortunately most clinical research is useless, mainly due to poor method/design and not focusing on clinical relevance. The ability to reproduce findings is a cornerstone…
Getting yellow fingernails from holding many cigarettes is not uncommon. However, I guess that few people would intuitively buy the argument that yellow nails can cause lung cancer. But if asked if cell phones can cause cancer, then it is not all that intuitively clear. Or how about coffee. A Google search of “coffee…
Stories are an important part of human traditions, and one of the most powerful ways to deliver a message – especially if we ca relate to the story. But no matter how compelling and convincing a story related to health and healthcare may be, it can never be a scientific proof. The story does, however,…
