Submited on: 04 May 2012 05:22:12 PM GMT
Published on: 05 May 2012 12:12:52 PM GMT
 
Biostatistics and the Quality of Medical Journals
Posted by Dr. William J Maloney on 04 Feb 2014 02:11:07 PM GMT Reviewed by Interested Peers

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The aim of the authors is to encourage editors and authors to follow a systematic pattern in conducting and presenting their studies in order to increase the quality of medical journals.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Yes


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    Yes


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    No


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    Yes


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    No


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    Yes- It would be a great seminar for anyone involved in medical literature


  • Other Comments:

    The application of biostatistics began centuries ago in the analysis of vital statistics.  Definition of certain variables (binary, ordinal, nominal, numeric, etc.) are presented.  The authors feel that following the suggestions of this article could contribute to the progress of research and the improvement of medical care.

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:

    None

  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Clinical associate professor

  • How to cite:  Maloney W J.Biostatistics and the Quality of Medical Journals[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;5(2):WMCRW002943
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This is a Brief Summary of Basic Statistics
Posted by Prof. Kazuo Ishii on 10 Jul 2012 07:02:46 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The author described the importance of statistics to estimate the medical and clinical research. This is common in medical research and is good summary for beginners in statistics.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    Their claim is not novel. And this description is not enough detail to understand and introduce in practical use.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    These claims are properly placed in the context. But this is not a proper paper for scientific publication. This is a brief summary of basic statistics and these descriptions are not new.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    There is no result and evidence. This is merely summary of statistics.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    There is no protocol. This is not a clinical trial.


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    There is no methodology. This is a merely summary of statistics.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    This is merely summary of basic statistics and the description is not enough to understand. The author should reconsider to submit this manuscript.


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    This paper is not outstanding. This is a brief summary of basic statistics. The description is not enough to insist on their claims.


  • Other Comments:

    The progress of recent statistics is very rapid and exciting. But recent subjects are not contained in this paper. And there are a lot of topics about statistics in the clinical and medical trials. Though introducing biostatistics is very interesting theme in the clinical study, the author did not mention about that. The author should make further summary by referring recent textbooks and journals.

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis.

  • How to cite:  Ishii K .This is a Brief Summary of Basic Statistics[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(7):WMCRW002059
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The paper emphasizes the importance of applying and interpreting biostatistics in medical research by pointing to the negligence of statistical design in the current biomedical research. 


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    No, these claims are not really novel. 


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes, they are placed in the context of previous literature, but a more detailed analysis would have been helpful. For instance, when the authors point out to the lack of "research design in descriptive statistics, case control studies, cohort studies and clinical trials", it might have helped the reader to know more about these studies and their importance in research. A few examples in literature could have been used to illustrate these points. In addition to simply stating parametric and non-parametric tests, it would have helped if these tests were described in more detail. 


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    As pointed out earlier, illustrations of previous research would have been useful to support the claims. 


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    No. 


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    Yes, it is valid. But a more detailed analysis of the importance of statistical tests would have strengthened the paper. 


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    Yes, additional information on the various kinds of statistical tests and their interpretation including parametric and non-parametric tests or the consequences of not selecting a sample size in a statistically appropriate manner etc. would have certainly helped to make the points stronger. 


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    No. A more coherent description of statistical techniques and their importance in existing literature would help. 


  • Other Comments:

    N/A

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I teach Health care data analysis and use statistical methodology in my research.

  • How to cite:  Kelekar U .The Importance of Biostatistics to improve the quality of medical journals[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(7):WMCRW002032
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  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    This editorial reminds the scientific community of the importance of using appropriate biostatistical methodology in medical research. This is always an important topic.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    The topic of this editorial is not novel, but it is still relevant. The authors cite literature that demonstrates that the misuse of biostatistics has been a steady concern for at least 30 years.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes, the literature backs up the assertions of the need to apply biostatistics correctly.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    N/A


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    N/A


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    N/A


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    N/A


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    This editorial is not outstanding; similar opinions can be found in almost all introductory biostatistics books and in many previous editorials across the medical literature.


  • Other Comments:

    No other comments.

  • Competing interests:
    No
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Biostatistics is my PhD minor and at the time of posting this review I am pursuing a MS in statistics.

  • How to cite:  Reynolds R J.A timely reminder (Review of article WMC003332)[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(7):WMCRW002018
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Give more!
Posted by Dr. Dejan Stevanovic on 01 Jul 2012 05:26:49 PM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    I perceive this article to be a good text for postgraduates.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    No.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    No


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    NA


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    NA


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    NA


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    I am happy that we have this text on WebmedCentral. However and do agree with Dr. Ferreira and what he asked to be added. In my opinion, there are other important things to discus. These are effect size statistic, number of subjects per samples needed, and statistical methods like regressions. Try to divide the article in multiple sections. 


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    NA


  • Other Comments:

    NA

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    Yas

  • How to cite:  Stevanovic D .Give more![Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(7):WMCRW002011
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Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals
Posted by Anonymous Reviewer on 30 Jun 2012 11:49:55 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    The paper is an introduction of biostatistic importance. May be it's useful for beginners in this field after modifications.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    No, the paper is not novel because the biostatictic importance was discussed in detail in other specific books and journal articles.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    The contribution of this paper is not clear. It lacks novelty.


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    No


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    No, it needs more modifications and more details.


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    The explanation of the proposed topic needs much more details beceuase it's a review paper. More details about statistical analysis must be added


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    No, the paper is not outstanding in its discipline


  • Other Comments:

    I recommend the authors to modify their paper. The title is intersting but the contents need more discussions.

  • Competing interests:
    I have a few published articles using different statistical analysis methods.
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    Yes
  • References:

    Azar AT, Wahba K, Mohamed AS, Massoud WA. Association between dialysis dose improvement and nutritional status among hemodialysis patients.Am J Nephrol. 2007;27(2):113-9.

  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
    None
  • How to cite:  Anonymous.Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW002009
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Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals
Posted by Anonymous Reviewer on 30 Jun 2012 01:20:45 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    This article describes basic principles in statistical analysis. These information may be useful for graduate students and young scientist which are planning their research projects.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    No, no novel from this article that the contents are available in statistical books however its may be an usful for readers.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes, the literature backs up the assertions of the need to apply biostatistics correctly.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    NA


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    NA


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    NA


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    NA


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    NA


  • Other Comments:

    no

  • Competing interests:
    None
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:

    No

  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    NA

  • How to cite:  Anonymous.Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW002007
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Review
Posted by Prof. Arthur S Ferreira on 08 Jun 2012 12:44:15 AM GMT

  • What are the main claims of the paper and how important are they?

    This article describes basic principles in statistical analysis. These information may be useful for postgraduation students which are planning their research projects.


  • Are these claims novel? If not, please specify papers that weaken the claims to the originality of this one.

    The claims of this article are not new. The content of thus article is available in almost all books on statistics.


  • Are the claims properly placed in the context of the previous literature?

    Yes, it is.


  • Do the results support the claims? If not, what other evidence is required?

    NA


  • If a protocol is provided, for example for a randomized controlled trial, are there any important deviations from it? If so, have the authors explained adequately why the deviations occurred?

    NA


  • Is the methodology valid? Does the paper offer enough details of its methodology that its experiments or its analyses could be reproduced?

    NA


  • Would any other experiments or additional information improve the paper? How much better would the paper be if this extra work was done, and how difficult would such work be to do, or to provide?

    The authors may add informations on the last pragraph of the Introduction section regarding the correspondence between parametric/nonparametric testing and Normality of distribution. It would be valuable if the authors discussed that continuous variables with non-normal distributions can be transformed to allow the use of parametric tests (and how to do this). The implications of such transformation on the power of the test may be also explored.


  • Is this paper outstanding in its discipline? (For example, would you like to see this work presented in a seminar at your hospital or university? Do you feel these results need to be incorporated in your next general lecture on the subject?) If yes, what makes it outstanding? If not, why not?

    NA


  • Other Comments:

    NA

  • Competing interests:
    None.
  • Invited by the author to review this article? :
    No
  • Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
    No
  • References:
    None
  • Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:

    I am the Professor Titular of the Biostatistics discipline and I had published articles using different statistical methods.

  • How to cite:  Ferreira A S.Review[Review of the article 'Importance of Biostatistics to Improve the Quality of Medical Journals ' by Sreedharan J].WebmedCentral 2012;3(6):WMCRW001882
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