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Research Design and Statistical Methods in Indian Medical Journals: A Retrospective Survey

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  • Shabbeer Hassan
  • Rajashree Yellur
  • Pooventhan Subramani
  • Poornima Adiga
  • Manoj Gokhale
  • Manasa S Iyer
  • Shreemathi S Mayya

Abstract

Good quality medical research generally requires not only an expertise in the chosen medical field of interest but also a sound knowledge of statistical methodology. The number of medical research articles which have been published in Indian medical journals has increased quite substantially in the past decade. The aim of this study was to collate all evidence on study design quality and statistical analyses used in selected leading Indian medical journals. Ten (10) leading Indian medical journals were selected based on impact factors and all original research articles published in 2003 (N = 588) and 2013 (N = 774) were categorized and reviewed. A validated checklist on study design, statistical analyses, results presentation, and interpretation was used for review and evaluation of the articles. Main outcomes considered in the present study were – study design types and their frequencies, error/defects proportion in study design, statistical analyses, and implementation of CONSORT checklist in RCT (randomized clinical trials). From 2003 to 2013: The proportion of erroneous statistical analyses did not decrease (χ2=0.592, Φ=0.027, p=0.4418), 25% (80/320) in 2003 compared to 22.6% (111/490) in 2013. Compared with 2003, significant improvement was seen in 2013; the proportion of papers using statistical tests increased significantly (χ2=26.96, Φ=0.16, p

Suggested Citation

  • Shabbeer Hassan & Rajashree Yellur & Pooventhan Subramani & Poornima Adiga & Manoj Gokhale & Manasa S Iyer & Shreemathi S Mayya, 2015. "Research Design and Statistical Methods in Indian Medical Journals: A Retrospective Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-10, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0121268
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121268
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    2. Des Jarlais, D.C. & Lyles, C. & Crepaz, N., 2004. "Improving the Reporting Quality of Nonrandomized Evaluations of Behavioral and Public Health Interventions: The TREND Statement," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(3), pages 361-366.
    3. Zhichao Jin & Danghui Yu & Luoman Zhang & Hong Meng & Jian Lu & Qingbin Gao & Yang Cao & Xiuqiang Ma & Cheng Wu & Qian He & Rui Wang & Jia He, 2010. "A Retrospective Survey of Research Design and Statistical Analyses in Selected Chinese Medical Journals in 1998 and 2008," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(5), pages 1-4, May.
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