Parametric methods outperformed non-parametric methods in comparisons of discrete numerical variables.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The number of events per individual is a widely reported variable in medical research papers. Such variables are the most common representation of the general variable type called discrete numerical. There is currently no consensus on how to compare and present such variables, and recommendations are lacking. The objective of this paper is to present recommendations for analysis and presentation of results for discrete numerical variables.

Methods

Two simulation studies were used to investigate the performance of hypothesis tests and confidence interval methods for variables with outcomes {0, 1, 2}, {0, 1, 2, 3}, {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, and {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, using the difference between the means as an effect measure.

Results

The Welch U test (the T test with ad

SUBMITTER: Fagerland MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3097007 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature