Research Techniques Made Simple: Choosing Appropriate Statistical Methods for Clinical Research

Abstract

The statistical significance of results is an important component to drawing appropriate conclusions in a study. Choosing the correct statistical test to analyze results is essential in interpreting the validity of the study and centers on defining the study variables and purpose of the analysis. The complexity of statistical modeling makes this a daunting task, so we propose a basic algorithmic approach as an initial step in determining what statistical method will be appropriate for a particular clinical study.