ISSN 打印: 2151-805X
ISSN 在线: 2151-8068
On the Value of P Value: Toward Improving Statistical and Translational Significance— and Value—in Studies and the Applicability of Neurotechnologies for Precision Medicine
摘要
Debate is currently increasing among researchers that the use of the P value, specifically P ≤ 0.05, permits considerable ambiguity in interpreting the actual statistical rigor-in-validity, and therefore the value of results, in many domains and disciplines of biomedical investigation. This may be particularly problematic given (and in) large-scale international neuroscientific and neurotechnological initiatives entailing an agenda to engage a preclinical-to-clinical paradigm for evaluating and applying emerging techniques and tools in an ever more precise approach to neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. Using confidence intervals with statistical methods may provide additional significance, but it does not fully address the relevance of results. We posit that the use of Bayesian statistical methods could provide results that are statistically valid, rigorous, and relevant to both the conduct of further studies and the ultimately practical translation of findings and outcomes. We further opine and propose that future phased studies of neuroscientific and neurotechnological initiatives use a combination of these statistical methods to evaluate results and outcomes that are held to a higher level of scrutiny and thus may be both more viable and applicable for translational efforts and more parsimonious with regard to conduct, time, and economics.
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