J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2003 Dec;14(5):475-480.

Statistical Methods in the Articles in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine Published from 1998 to 2002

• Yu TY
• Jin Y
• Jeong TO
• Lee JB

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess the statistical methods used in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine (JKSEM) and to identify the types of errors in statistical analysis.
METHODS
We reviewed quantitative articles that were published in the JKSEM from January 1998 through December 2002. Editorials, review articles, and case reports were not included in this analysis. A total of 319 articles was reviewed. We focused on the methods of inferential statistics in these articles. We evaluated the adequacy and the validity of the statistical techniques with our criteria, which were established by modifying Ahn's checklist.
RESULTS
Of the 319 articles, 222 used inferential statistics. The t-test was the statistic of choice overall (45.1%), followed by the chi-square test (23.9%). Errors of omission (70.3%) were more frequent than errors of commission. Of the errors of omission, incomplete description of the basic data was the most common.
CONCLUSION
We found various mistakes or misuses in the applications of statistical methodologies in the articles published in the JKSEM. The present study suggests that additional efforts should be focused on the appropriateness of the statistical analysis used in JKSEM articles to improve their value, and during the review process, editorial attention should be paid to the validity of the statistical methodologies used in the articles.

Keyword

Statistics; Statistical error; Inferential statistics

MeSH Terms

Checklist
Emergencies*
Emergency Medicine*