مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان (Dec 2009)

Main concepts in the statistical analysis and presentation of findings

  • Maryam Nasirian,
  • Masoume Sadeghi,
  • AliAkbar Haghdoost

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 100
pp. 645 – 658

Abstract

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Background:In this paper, we are presenting the basic concepts of data analysis in a very simple but practical approach. We believe that the content of this paper may help nearly all of researchers in writing their results. Coherent is one of the main considerations in nearly all of scientific scripts and as a general rule, all researchers have to pay enough attention to this issue in all steps. This means that all of sections and subsections have to have direct relationship with the main objective. We recommend that the analysis starts from simple descriptions of the main variables. In the next step, assessment of the relationship between paired variables is recommended. As the last step, sometimes you may need to use multivariable analysis to explore the relationships between your main variables adjusting for the confounding effects of other variables. Tables and graphs are very efficient tools to present your findings in an attractive way and grasp the attention of readers; however, you have to use simple but clear tables and graphs. Repetition of findings in graphs, tables and body text of the results is one of the main pitfalls. We hope by reading this paper you learn more how to approach to your data and write your results more attractive. Keywords: statistical analysis, results, scientific writing, multivariate analysis, coherent