8. Guard against statistical fallacies in medical research

ABSTRACT

Medicine is a sensitive science as it deals with the life and health of people. A slight error can blow up into an enormous damage when invalid results are applied to the population at large. Thus, extreme care is required in conducting and reporting medical research studies. Since medical research is mostly empirical, variations and consequent uncertainties are integral part. Statistical fallacies occur when data and database research are knowingly or unknowingly poorly done or misreported. This article highlights such instances and illustrates commonly occurring fallacies in medical research. Proper design, collection of the right data on an adequate sample, immaculate analysis, and correct interpretation can minimize such fallacies and increase the credibility of research results.