Sampling uncertainty in medical research.
Statistical analysis is ubiquitous in medical research, but fundamental statistical principles are not always well understood, which has negative effects for both authors and readers of scientific papers. The purpose of this brief review is to provide a methodological overview on populations, samples, analysis units and sampling uncertainty to facilitate an increased understanding of statistical concepts.
Ranstam
J
J
National Musculoskeletal Competence Centre, Department of Orthopaedics, Lund University Hospital, SE-22185 Lund, Sweden. jonas.ranstam@med.lu.se
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013223:Statistics as Topic