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Statistical presentation in international scientific publications 7. Conclusions

Statistical presentation in international scientific publications 7. Conclusions. Malcolm Campbell Lecturer in Statistics, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Manchester Statistical Editor, Health & Social Care in the Community. 7. Conclusions Contents.

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Statistical presentation in international scientific publications 7. Conclusions

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  1. Statistical presentation in international scientific publications 7. Conclusions Malcolm Campbell Lecturer in Statistics, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Manchester Statistical Editor, Health & Social Care in the Community

  2. 7. ConclusionsContents • 7.1 General conclusions • 7.2 Statistical conclusions • 7.3 Final thoughts Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  3. 7.1 General conclusions 1 Planning a draft paper – Peat et al (2002, p 16) * 2000-2500 words [!], A4 paper, font size 10-12, 1.5 line spacing Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  4. Choose the most appropriate journal impact factor scope of journal, and readership will paper be of interest? even try reading some papers… (ho, ho, ho) Read the journal’s instructions to authors layout and structure style of referencing word count Type double-spaced with each table or figure on separate page include list of tables and figures Number the pages title page as page 1 authors names on this page only Abstract on page 2 with title repeated at top If necessary, use an English spell-checker and if possible a native English-speaking proof reader General conclusions 2General advice on submitting papers to journals Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  5. 7.2 Statistical conclusions 1General advice on reporting methods • Think about the reader • international? statistically aware? numerate? • Follow the standard IMRaD structure • it helps with your thinking! • Clearly describe the study design and sampling • and inclusion/exclusion criteria • Justify your sample size • just as you did to get your research funded • State the statistical methods and software used • Make sure what you write is readable! Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  6. Statistical conclusions 2General advice on reporting results • Report on missing data • Report numbers (percents), means (SDs) and medians (ranges or IQRs) • to appropriate numbers of decimal places • Report test results in full with supporting statistics • even if non-significant, assuming test was important • Make sure any tables and figures can stand alone • Be logical and consistent • Make sure what you write is readable! Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  7. In text, give numbers with units (eg cm) as numbers < 10 as words ≥ 10 as numbers at start of sentence as words Use a 0 before decimal point for numbers < 1 No space between number and % sign but space between number and unit Use 2 decimal places for most test statistics & correlations* Rules for sample size & %: < 20: use numbers not %s < 100: % to nearest whole number > 100: % to 1 decimal place Use one more decimal place than unit of measurement when reporting descriptive statistics Report last decimal place if 0* Report p-values to 3 decimal places or 2 significant figures, or p < 0.001 if very small* Reporting numbersGolden rules for reporting numbers – Peat & Barton (2005) * My rules! Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  8. 7.3 Final thoughts 1How to ensure your paper is rejected, Wager et al (2002) • Adopt a ponderous and wordy style and try to make everything ambiguous • after all, if readers can understand the stuff, it can’t be that clever • Insert references to all your previous publications at random • especially if they bear no relation to the current work • Ignore the journal’s conventions about the structure of Abstract and paper • ensure that you include some choice results in the Methods and plenty of discussion in the Results Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  9. Final thoughts 2How to ensure your paper is rejected, Wager et al (2002) • On no account read the instructions to authors • Make sure your pages are not numbered • and if possible, submit them out of order • Insert figures and tables into the text as the whim takes you • Choose an obscure style for references (and definitely not one of your chosen journal) • remember not to check your references and ensure that several are incomplete • Make sure that you exceed the maximum length by at least 1000 words and two tables Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

  10. Final thoughts 3 How to ensure your paper is NOT rejected, Campbell (2008) • And you felt that those final thoughts from Wager et al (2002) were silly? • unfortunately, they all occur in real life • but you won’t follow their advice, will you? • If you want one single reference to help you… • J. Peacock and S. Kerry (2007). Presenting Medical Statistics from Proposal to Publication: a step-by-step guide. Oxford University Press, Oxford. • how to present “statistical information” in research proposals, reports and papers, covering study design, sample size calculation, data processing, data analysis and results… wonderful Statistical presentation - 7. Conclusions

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