Accuracy of statistical methods in TRANSFUSION: a review of articles from July/August 1992 through June 1993.

BACKGROUND

Statistical errors have been noted in a large percentage of articles appearing in medical journals. Their incidence in a blood banking journal, however, has not been studied.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Original articles appearing in the journal TRANSFUSION from July 1992 through June 1993 were analyzed for correctness of statistical methods. Each article was reviewed by both a transfusion medicine physician and a statistician.

RESULTS

There were 122 original articles, of which 59 contained statistical methods and were reviewed. Of these, 23 (39%) contained an error in the statistical description of their data, 47 (80%) failed to describe clearly the statistical tests performed, and 44 (75%) involved an incorrect statistical test or contained an error in test calculation or interpretation. As a result of these errors, 13 (22%) of the 55 articles analyzed reported conclusions not supported by the data.

CONCLUSION

Misuse of statistical methodology may not be uncommon in transfusion medicine research, and it would be prudent to give more attention to statistical methodology in such research.