Ten common statistical mistakes to watch out for when writing or reviewing a manuscript

Elife. 2019 Oct 9:8:e48175. doi: 10.7554/eLife.48175.

Abstract

Inspired by broader efforts to make the conclusions of scientific research more robust, we have compiled a list of some of the most common statistical mistakes that appear in the scientific literature. The mistakes have their origins in ineffective experimental designs, inappropriate analyses and/or flawed reasoning. We provide advice on how authors, reviewers and readers can identify and resolve these mistakes and, we hope, avoid them in the future.

Keywords: analysis; causality; neuroscience; none; null results; p-hacking; power; statistics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Manuscripts, Medical as Topic*
  • Statistics as Topic*