Statistical Errors in Medical Residency Theses

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the theses of residency in medicine in terms of statistical errors made and thus to contribute to the production of quality scientific publications by ensuring that scientific publishers in the field of medicine are sensitive and careful about statistics when doing their work.Methods:In this study, we investigated 321 thesis theses which are defended from 6 different universities are obtained from the database of the Turkish Higher Education Council. The investigation is was conducted in terms of “Errors Related to p-values”, “Errors Related to Tests”, “Mathematical Notation Errors”, “Statistical Symbol Errors”, “Inappropriate Interpretation”, “Presentation of The the Statistical Method Analysis and Results in The the Incorrect Section of The the Manuscript”, “Errors in Summarizing Data”,“Incomprehensible Statistical Terms” and “Errors in Statistical Terminology”.Results:There was at least one statistical error in all 321 medicine residency theses examined. The most common error was “errors in summarizing data” with a ratio of 70.1% (n=225), while the least common error was “incomprehensible statistical expressions” with a ratio of 14.3% (n=46).Conclusion:As a result, both researchers and consultants who undertake scientific studies have a responsibility to minimize these errors. To prevent statistical errors, students who are doing residency in medicine are required to receive the necessary training in statistical literacy, to have basic statistical knowledge, and to receive consultancy from a biostatistics expert for statistical evaluations. Students who residency in medicine in preventing statistical errors are required to receive the necessary training in statistical literacy, to have basic statistical knowledge, and to receive consultancy from a biostatistics expert for statistical evaluations.

Keywords

• statistical errors
• residency in medicine thesis
• statistical review