| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 35
| Issue : 2 | Page : 119-123 |
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Some basic aspects of statistical methods and sample size determination in health science research
VS Binu1, Shreemathi S Mayya1, Murali Dhar2
1 Department of Statistics, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Population Policies and Programmes, International Institute for Population Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address:
Murali Dhar
Asso. Prof. Department of Population Policies and Programmes, International Institute for Population Sciences, Govandi Station Road, Deonar, Mumbai - 400 088, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.146202
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A health science researcher may sometimes wonder "why statistical methods are so important in research?" Simple answer is that, statistical methods are used throughout a study that includes planning, designing, collecting data, analyzing and drawing meaningful interpretation and report the findings. Hence, it is important that a researcher knows the concepts of at least basic statistical methods used at various stages of a research study. This helps the researcher in the conduct of an appropriately well-designed study leading to valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the population. A well-designed study possesses fewer biases, which intern gives precise, valid and reliable results. There are many statistical methods and tests that are used at various stages of a research. In this communication, we discuss the overall importance of statistical considerations in medical research with the main emphasis on estimating minimum sample size for different study objectives. |
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