THE GLANCE THAT DECEIVES

[摘要] It is widely recognized that t -tests, chi square tests and other statistical tests provide a basis for probability statements only when the hypothesis is fully developed before the data are examined in any way. If even the briefest glance at a study's results moves the investigator to consider a hypothesis not formulated before the study was started, that glance destroys the probability value of the evidence at hand... When either the [statistical] test itself or the reporting of the test is motivated by the data, a probability statement such as " P less than 0.05" is deceptive.

[学科分类] 儿科学