Interpretation of statistical findings in randomised trials: a survey of statisticians using thematic analysis of open-ended questions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dichotomisation of statistical significance, rather than interpretation of effect sizes supported by confidence intervals, is a long-standing problem.

Methods

We distributed an online survey to clinical trial statisticians across the UK, Australia and Canada asking about their experiences, perspectives and practices with respect to interpretation of statistical findings from randomised trials. We report a descriptive analysis of the closed-ended questions and a thematic analysis of the open-ended questions.

Results

We obtained 101 responses across a broad range of career stages (24% professors; 51% senior lecturers; 22% junior statisticians) and areas of work (28% early phase trials; 44% drug trials; 38% health service trials). The majority (93%) believed t

SUBMITTER: Hemming K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11520448 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature