[Multiple significance tests and their importance in the judging of results. A quality analysis of the journal Strahlentherapie und Onkologie].
BACKGROUND
The statistical quality of the contributions to "Strahlentherapie und Onkologie" is assessed, aiming for improvement of the journal and consequently its impact factor.


METHODS
All 181 articles published during 1998 and 1999 in the categories "review", "original contribution", and "short communication" were analyzed concerning the appropriate use of multiple tests.


RESULTS
One hundred and four publications were excluded from analysis, because they did not contain quantitative data or because no or only 1 statistical test was performed. In 77 publications multiple tests were done which was adequately considered in only 3 of these papers, corresponding to a fraction of 4% (95% CI: 0.8 to 11%).


CONCLUSIONS
Authors, peer reviewers, and editors could contribute to improve the quality of the journal by setting value on correction for multiple tests.
Beck-Bornholdt
H P
HP
Institut für Biophysik und Strahlenbiologie, Universität Hamburg. bebo@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Dubben
H H
HH
D015706:Bibliometrics; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011786:Quality Control; D011878:Radiotherapy