English homeMethodsHow to Check Statistical Analysis in a Medical Paper: From Research Question to Table 1, P Values, and Confidence Interv
Method checklist
How to Check Statistical Analysis in a Medical Paper: From Research Question to Table 1, P Values, and Confidence Interv
A pre-submission checklist for medical papers covering sample size, variables, models, effect sizes, 95% CIs, missing data, and subgroup analyses.
Before using this in research
The goal is not to adopt another tool. The goal is to reduce verified research time without weakening the evidence trail.
Best for
Biomedical, clinical, public health, and academic researchers preparing or revising a manuscript that reports quantitative results, including observational studies, clinical studies, and secondary analyses.
First step
Start by matching each statistical method to the primary research question, outcome type, study design, and planned comparison before reviewing P values or tables.
A safer workflow
1Define the research question, primary outcome, exposure or intervention, study design, and analysis population before checking any statistical tests.
2Review sample size, eligibility criteria, variable types, missing data handling, and whether Table 1 describes the study population without overclaiming baseline differences.
3Check whether the selected statistical models fit the outcome type, data structure, assumptions, covariates, clustering, repeated measures, and confounding strategy.
4Report effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals, interpret P values cautiously, and clearly label secondary, subgroup, sensitivity, and multiple-comparison analyses.
Watch-outs
Do not choose statistical tests only by habit; align tests and models with the outcome distribution, study design, and causal or descriptive objective.
Avoid treating P values as proof of clinical importance; report effect estimates, uncertainty, and clinical relevance together.
Be cautious with unplanned subgroup analyses, multiple comparisons, and selective reporting, which can increase false-positive findings.
Evidence checks
Can a reader trace each main result back to a prespecified question, outcome, analysis population, and statistical model?
Are missing data, exclusions, covariate selection, model assumptions, and sensitivity analyses described clearly enough to reproduce the analysis?
Do conclusions reflect the effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals rather than relying only on whether P values cross 0.05?
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