Listen to the data when results are not significant

Catherine E Hewitt; Natasha Mitchell; David J Torgerson

doi:10.1136/bmj.39379.359560.AD

Listen to the data when results are not significant

BMJ. 2008 Jan 5;336(7634):23-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39379.359560.AD.

Authors

Catherine E Hewitt¹, Natasha Mitchell, David J Torgerson

Affiliation

¹ York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York YO10 5DD.

Abstract

Unexpected non-significant results from randomised trials can be difficult to accept. Catherine Hewitt, Natasha Mitchell, and David Torgerson find that some authors continue to support interventions despite evidence that they might be harmful

MeSH terms

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage
Administration, Inhalation
Administration, Oral
Adolescent
Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage
Bias
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Equipment Safety
Evidence-Based Medicine
Female
Humans
Infant
Labor, Induced / methods
Lidocaine / administration & dosage
Misoprostol / administration & dosage
Pain / prevention & control
Pregnancy
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data*
Sex Education / statistics & numerical data
Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control

Substances

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
Anesthetics, Local
Misoprostol
Lidocaine