Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research
Statistical analysis is an integral part of medical research. It helps transform raw data into meaningful insights, supports hypothesis testing, optimises study design, assesses risk and prognosis, and facilitates evidence-based decision-making. The statistical analysis increases research findings&...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Poznan University of Medical Sciences
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Science |
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| Online Access: | https://jms.ump.edu.pl/index.php/JMS/article/view/869 |
| _version_ | 1797794307147563008 |
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| author | Przemysław Guzik Barbara Więckowska |
| author_facet | Przemysław Guzik Barbara Więckowska |
| author_sort | Przemysław Guzik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Statistical analysis is an integral part of medical research. It helps transform raw data into meaningful insights, supports hypothesis testing, optimises study design, assesses risk and prognosis, and facilitates evidence-based decision-making. The statistical analysis increases research findings' reliability, validity and generalisability, ultimately advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. Without it, meaningful analysis of the data collected would be impossible. The conclusions drawn would be unsubstantiated and misleading.
Many health professionals are unfamiliar with statistical analysis and its basic concepts. The analysis of clinical data is an integral part of medical research. Identifying the data type (continuous, quasi-continuous or discrete) and detecting outliers are the first and most important steps. When analysing the data distribution for normality, graphical and numerical methods are recommended. Depending on the type of data distribution, appropriate non-parametric or parametric tests can be used for further analysis. Data that are not normally distributed can be normalised using various mathematical methods (e.g., square root or logarithm) and analysed using parametric tests in the next steps.
This review provides essential explanations of these concepts without using complex mathematical or statistical equations but with several graphical examples of various statistical terms.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:00:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a511315631f842dab9bc739597feb316 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2353-9798 2353-9801 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:00:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Poznan University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-a511315631f842dab9bc739597feb3162023-06-27T14:22:21ZengPoznan University of Medical SciencesJournal of Medical Science2353-97982353-98012023-06-0110.20883/medical.e869Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical researchPrzemysław GuzikBarbara Więckowska Statistical analysis is an integral part of medical research. It helps transform raw data into meaningful insights, supports hypothesis testing, optimises study design, assesses risk and prognosis, and facilitates evidence-based decision-making. The statistical analysis increases research findings' reliability, validity and generalisability, ultimately advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. Without it, meaningful analysis of the data collected would be impossible. The conclusions drawn would be unsubstantiated and misleading. Many health professionals are unfamiliar with statistical analysis and its basic concepts. The analysis of clinical data is an integral part of medical research. Identifying the data type (continuous, quasi-continuous or discrete) and detecting outliers are the first and most important steps. When analysing the data distribution for normality, graphical and numerical methods are recommended. Depending on the type of data distribution, appropriate non-parametric or parametric tests can be used for further analysis. Data that are not normally distributed can be normalised using various mathematical methods (e.g., square root or logarithm) and analysed using parametric tests in the next steps. This review provides essential explanations of these concepts without using complex mathematical or statistical equations but with several graphical examples of various statistical terms. https://jms.ump.edu.pl/index.php/JMS/article/view/869statistical analysismedical researchquantitative datanormal distributionstatistical analysis; medical research; quantitative data; normal distribution; parametric tests |
| spellingShingle | Przemysław Guzik Barbara Więckowska Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research Journal of Medical Science statistical analysis medical research quantitative data normal distribution statistical analysis; medical research; quantitative data; normal distribution; parametric tests |
| title | Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| title_full | Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| title_fullStr | Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| title_short | Data distribution analysis – a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| title_sort | data distribution analysis a preliminary approach to quantitative data in biomedical research |
| topic | statistical analysis medical research quantitative data normal distribution statistical analysis; medical research; quantitative data; normal distribution; parametric tests |
| url | https://jms.ump.edu.pl/index.php/JMS/article/view/869 |
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