Journal article
Essential Statistical Concepts for Research in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Journal of speech, language, and hearing research, Vol.62(3), pp.489-497
03/25/2019
DOI: 10.1044/2018_jslhr-s-astm-18-0239
PMCID: PMC6802903
PMID: 30950745
Abstract
Purpose Clinicians depend on the accuracy of research in the speech, language, and hearing sciences to improve assessment and treatment of patients with communication disorders. Although this work has contributed to great advances in clinical care, common statistical misconceptions remain, which deserve closer inspection in the field. Challenges in applying and interpreting traditional statistical methods with behavioral data from humans have led to difficulties with replication and reproducibility in other allied scientific fields, including psychology and medicine. The importance of research in our fields of study for advancing science and clinical care for our patients means that the choices of statistical methods can have far-reaching, real-world implications. Method The goal of this article is to provide an overview of fundamental statistical concepts and methods that are used in the speech, language, and hearing sciences. Results We reintroduce basic statistical terms such as the p value and effect size, as well as recommended procedures for model selection and multiple comparisons. Conclusions Research in the speech, language, and hearing sciences can have a profound positive impact on the lives of individuals with communication disorders, but the validity of scientific findings in our fields is enhanced when data are analyzed using sound statistical methods. Misunderstanding or misinterpretation of basic statistical principles may erode public trust in research findings. Recommendations for practices that can help minimize the likelihood of errors in statistical inference are provided. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7849223.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Essential Statistical Concepts for Research in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
- Creators
- Jacob J Oleson - Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa CityGrant D Brown - Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa CityRyan McCreery - Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of speech, language, and hearing research, Vol.62(3), pp.489-497
- DOI
- 10.1044/2018_jslhr-s-astm-18-0239
- PMID
- 30950745
- PMCID
- PMC6802903
- NLM abbreviation
- J Speech Lang Hear Res
- ISSN
- 1092-4388
- eISSN
- 1558-9102
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- R01 DC013591 / NIDCD NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/25/2019
- Academic Unit
- Communication Sciences and Disorders; Biostatistics
- Record Identifier
- 9983997458302771
Metrics
15 Record Views