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The use of Statistics in the British Journal of Psychiatry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

S. M. McGuigan
S. M. McGuigan*
Affiliation:
Biostatistical and Computing Unit, Department of Mental Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE
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Abstract

Background

Statistical error rates in the medical literature are generally high.

Method

All papers published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 1993 which presented numerical results were reviewed by the author for statistical errors.

Results

A total of 248 papers were published, of which 164 (66%) presented numerical results.

Sixty-five (40% of 164) papers contained statistical errors. Many errors were not serious in nature, but some were serious enough to cast doubt on conclusions. The error rates are similar to those found in an earlier study.

Conclusions

The statistical error rate is unacceptably high. There is no evidence of a change in the statistical error rate over time.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 5 , November 1995 , pp. 683 - 688
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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