• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.134-145
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• 2006

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate what type of assumption and conditions are needed for the application of various statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, regression analysis and chi-square test and to evaluate that they are used correctly in the research process. Methods : One more methods of statistical analysis were used in 91 papers among 162 papers selected from the journal of Korean oriental medical Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology from April 2003 to December 2005. So we analysed the type of statistical analysis method in 91 papers(clinical and experimental study) and assessed the their validity of statistical techniques by the check list consisting of 34 items(3 items for validity assessment of descriptive statistics, 6 items for t-test, 7 items for analysis of variance, correlation analysis and regression analysis, respectively, 4 items for chi-square test) Results : 1. The type of 65(40%) cases is experimental trial, the type of 55(34%) cases is case report, the type of 26(16%) cases is clinical trial and the type of 16(10%) cases is review, in 91 papers using statistical techniques among 162 papers selected from the journal of Korean oriental medical Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatol-ogy from April 2003 to December 2005. 2. One more methods of statistical analysis were used in the experimental and clinical study. When we classified 125 units using statistical analysis methods in 91 papers according to statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, regression analysis and chi-square test, the number of independent sample t-test is 33(26%), the number of only descriptive statistics is 28(22%), the number of independent sample t-test is 33(26%), the number of only descriptive statistics is 28(22%), the number of one way ANOVA is 15(12%), the number of non-parametric test 10(8%). 3. After carrying out one way ANOVA, the number of using multiple comparison methods is 15(Scheffe:6(26%), Duncan:4(17%), Dunnett:3(13%), Tukey:2(9%)) out of 23 (total case carrying out one way ANOVA). 8(35%) out of 23 did not enforce multiple comparison methods after carrying out one way ANOVA. 4. From the assessment of validity about 63 cases using statistical techniques(except descriptive statistics), 5(8%) cases are proper, the other 58(92%) are improper, so we recognized a serious misuse of statistical application in our journal. 5. The number of case below 10 sample size in experimental and clinical study(except descriptive statistics) is 31(34%) and frequent. Also the number of case containing no mention of sample size is 41(45%, including culture study). 6. For example of statistical error, there are wrong choice of statistical technique, lack of check on standard assumption(such as standard distribution, equivariance, independence), and so on. Conclusions : We investigated the validity of statistical analysis methods in our journal by check list consisting of 34 items and suggested correct statistical analysis methods. We should practice the spread of education about statistical analysis methods and precis application, enhance objectivity and reliability of our thesis and further correspond with purpose of scientific study.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of the present study was to examine statistical methods used in articles published on the Korean Journal of Acupuncture from 2007 through 2012. Methods : Statistical methods and statistical packages used in original articles applied with descriptive statistics or inferential statistics were organized. Results : Out of a total of 195 original articles, 18 articles used descriptive statistics only and 177 articles used inferential statistics. 142 articles used 12 types of statistical packages. SPSS was used most at 97 times(63.4%). The number of descriptive statistical methods used was a total of 417 and among them 193 were presented as tables(46.3%) and 224 were presented as graphs(53.7%). The number of inferential statistics applied was a total of 256 and analysis of variance was used most at 90 times(35.2%). The number of parametric statistical methods used was a total of 170(75.6%) and that of nonparametric statistical methods used was a total of 55(24.4%). Analysis of variance and two sample t-test were most employed in both clinical and non-clinical research. The number of multiple comparison methods applied was a total of 67 and the number of Scheffe methods among them was most at 26 times(37.7%). Conclusions : In the present study, statistical methods used in the journal over the last six years were examined. The result of this study is considered to be a basic material to be referred to when evaluating the quality of the medical journal.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.105-130
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess the statistical methods errors used in the journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine(JORM) and to identify the types of errors in statistical analysis. Methods : We reviewed quantitative articles that were published in the JORM from January 2005 through October 2009. Those were not used by statistical analysis such as literature studies, case study, review articles were not included in this analysis. A total of 296 articles was reviewed. We evaluated the adequacy and the validity of the statistical techniques with our checklist established be modified Lee's checklist, and three statistical evaluators assessed together to minimize bias. Results : Of the 222 articles, 213 were used in inferential and descriptive statistics. Of those 80% of articles adopting descriptive and inferential statistics were detected having statistical errors. One articles used 1.7 statistical method unit generally. Most frequently employed statistics were student t-test, one way ANOVA. pearson correlation analysis, Mann-whitney U test, paired t-test, and chi-square test in their order. However, most frequent statistics having errors were similar in order. The most common statistic errors were as follow: 1. absence of normality test, 2. misuse between paired test and unpaired test, 3. wrong choice of repeated measures analysis without consideration of time variables, 4, increase of Type I error by using inappropriate multiple test, 5. inappropriate application of discrete or categorical data instead of continuous data in correlation analysis, 6. poor consideration of basic consumption in chi-square test, 7. confusion between frequency comparison and average comparison, 8. mentioning the statistical technique without using it. Conclusions : We found various mistake or misuses in the applications of statistical methodologies in the articles published in the JORM. Careful consideration of statistical use and review from the specialist of statistics are warranted for improving the quality of JORM.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.615-625
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• 2011

This study presents a descriptive statistical analysis on grade characteristics and employment rates of three ocean-related departments at a university. The ocean-related departments belong to the same college along with the other six departments. To obtain the correlation between the grade characteristics and employment rates, we carried out the followings. Firstly, four-year employment rates and six-semester GPAs (grade point averages) were obtained from the nine departments. Secondly, the box-and-whisker plots were constructed for each data set to capture the grade characteristics (mean, the first quartile, median, third quartile, whisker+, and Q3 box). Finally, the grade characteristics and employment rates were correlated. It is shown from the correlation analysis that the employment rate has a positive linear relation with the mean or third quartile, while the rate has a negative linear relation with the whisker+ or Q3 box, for the ocean-related departments possibly because these departments have higher regular employment rates than those of the other six departments.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.144-158
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate what kinds of statistical techniques have been used to analyze data from oriental medicine research, For study, 551 original articles which used statistical techniques in their data analysis were selected form the articles published in The journal of Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Society(JKAMS) between 1984 to 2002. among them, 122 articles used descriptive statistics while 429 articles used inferential statistics for data analysis. For that 429 articles, t-test (189 articles), analysis fo variance (111 articles), chi-square test (14 articles), correlation (10 articles), regression analysis (4 articles), factor analysis(5 articles), or nonparametric test (23 articles) were chose to analyze the data. Nonparametric approach has substantial power in case data do not meet the assumption of normality. This method is not only easy to use ut also provides measures of the statistical variation of nominal and ordinal scale. This study shows that more and more recent papers use nonparametric test compared to the old articles. nine different statistical software or packages (SAS, SPSS, Statview, Minitab, Sigma plot, ISP, Graphpad prism, Excel, Access) have been used in the articles published JKMAS. High level statistical techniques such as SAS, SPSS, and Statview are user friendly and used most for acupuncture and Moxibustion research. Including tables and plots in an article facilitates understanding family process data from a descriptive standpoint, minimized erroneous statistical conclusions, and clarifies theoretically important relationships among variables. Table and plots have been used 500 and 233 articles, respectively. A computer procedure is proposed and illustrated with statistical packages using SAS, SPSS, Statview and ISP.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.107-117
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• 2014

This study tests homogeneity and performs multiple comparison analysis among treatment levels of each factor group through t-test by materials and analysis of variance by structural type and service period. For that descriptive statistical analysis is performed for static and dynamic response characteristics and their ratios of calculated versus measured values based on a good many safety assessment reports for bridges. Homogeneity and post hoc test based on descriptive statistical analysis provide the measures for homogeneity identification among comparison groups in addition to the statistical reference values such as central tendency, variation and shape. This study is expected to be valuable for structural integrity assessment and design by comparing the measured and calculated values with the reference values for the homogeneous group identified, which can help the engineers review the adequacy of the values and put the group database to practical use.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2006

Statistical analyses used in clinical articles published on the Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society were identified and appropriateness of statistical aspects in reporting results was assessed. Forty seven clinical articles were selected in this study, which were published from February, 2005 to February, 2006 on the journal. The frequency of statistical analysis was as follows : descriptive statistics only 24 [51.1%]. one type of statistical method 10 [21.3%], two or more methods 13 [27.6%]. An assessment of statistical aspects was performed in 24 clinical articles reporting inferential statistics. Ten articles [41.7%] did not adequately describe or reference all statistical methods used. There were six articles [25.0%] not reporting the confidence level used as the critical criteria of the statistical significance. In thirteen articles [54.2%] it seems more appropriate to implement multivariate analyses in addition to univariate analyses. We recommend that the journal readers should concentrate on improving their knowledge of basic statistics and statistical review for manuscripts submitted should be sought from professionals in the fields of biostatistics and epidemiology.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.899-911
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• 2005

This paper conducts an explanatory analysis of the web sphere produced by National Assemblymen in South Korea, using some statistical methods. First, some descriptive metrics were employed. Next, the traditional methods of multi-variate analyses, multidimensional scaling and corresponding analysis, were applied to the data. Finally, cross-sectional data were compared to examine a change over time.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2009

With the growing importance of evidence-based medicine, clinical or biomedical research relies critically on the validity and reliability of data, and the subsequent statistical inferences for medical decision-making may lead to valid conclusion. Despite widespread use of analytical techniques in papers published in the Journal of Veterinary Clinics statistical errors particularly in design of experiments, research methodology or data analysis methods are commonly encountered. These flaws often leading to misinterpretation of the data, thereby, subjected to inappropriate conclusions. This article is the first in a series of nontechnical introduction designed not to systemic review of medical statistics but intended to provide the journal readers with an understanding of common statistical concepts, including data scale, selection of appropriate statistical methods, descriptive statistics, data transformation, confidence interval, the principles of hypothesis testing, sampling distribution, and interpretation of results.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2014

Statistical methods are frequently used in toxicology, yet it is not clear whether the methods employed by the studies are used consistently and conducted based on sound statistical grounds. The purpose of this paper is to describe statistical methods used in top toxicology journals. More specifically, we sampled 30 papers published in 2014 from Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Archives of Toxicology, and Toxicological Science and described methodologies used to provide descriptive and inferential statistics. One hundred thirteen endpoints were observed in those 30 papers, and most studies had sample size less than 10, with the median and the mode being 6 and 3 & 6, respectively. Mean (105/113, 93%) was dominantly used to measure central tendency, and standard error of the mean (64/113, 57%) and standard deviation (39/113, 34%) were used to measure dispersion, while few studies provide justifications regarding why the methods being selected. Inferential statistics were frequently conducted (93/113, 82%), with one-way ANOVA being most popular (52/93, 56%), yet few studies conducted either normality or equal variance test. These results suggest that more consistent and appropriate use of statistical method is necessary which may enhance the role of toxicology in public health.