Keene O N
Department of Medical Statistics, Glaxo Research and Development Ltd., Greenford, Middlesex, U.K.
Stat Med. 1995 Apr 30;14(8):811-9. doi: 10.1002/sim.4780140810.
The logarithmic (log) transformation is a simple yet controversial step in the analysis of positive continuous data measured on an interval scale. Situations where a log transformation is indicated will be reviewed. This paper contends that the log transformation should not be classed with other transformations as it has particular advantages. Problems with using the data themselves to decide whether or not to transform will be discussed. It is recommended that log transformed analyses should frequently be preferred to untransformed analyses and that careful consideration should be given to use of a log transformation at the protocol design stage.
对数(log)变换是对区间尺度上测量的正连续数据进行分析时一个简单却有争议的步骤。将对表明需要进行对数变换的情况进行综述。本文认为,对数变换不应与其他变换归为一类,因为它有其独特的优势。将讨论使用数据本身来决定是否进行变换时存在的问题。建议在分析时,对数变换后的分析应经常优先于未变换的分析,并且在方案设计阶段应仔细考虑是否使用对数变换。