Question

One article on the topic of statistical errors in medical research listed 47 potential sources of error. Try to identify 5 potential sources of error.

Short answer

The five potential sources of errors are listed below:

• Incorrect sample size
• Unclear base assumptions
• Failure to verify the underlying assumptions of the test
• Changes in the type of the data
• Incorrect reporting of insignificant results

Step-by-step solution

Given information

Evaluate statistical errors in medical research.

Step 2:Broadly classify the sources of error

Medical researchers broadly evaluate the following types of errors in the statistical study:

• Data collection error
• Analysis error
• Error related to conclusions from the results

State the five specific sources of errors

Evaluate each type one by one.

Data collection:

• The sample size is inappropriate, which may increase the chances of type II error and affect the power of the test.
• The design of the experiment is not appropriate; hypothesis error or unclear.

Data analysis:

• Failure to verify the assumptions required for the test leads to usingthe incorrect test.
• The type of data is changed for convenience without a clear explanation.

Interpretation:

• Expressing the results insignificant results incorrectly as equals. Here, the true interpretation of the insignificance means that the evidence was not enough to support the result statistically.