A Practical Guide with Step-by-Step Explanations, Numerous Worked Examples, and R Code
The A–Z of Error-Free Research describes the design, analysis, modeling, and reporting of experiments, clinical trials, and surveys. The book shows you when to use statistics, the best ways to cope with variation, and how to design an experiment, determine optimal sample size, and collect useable data. It also helps you choose the best statistical procedures for your application and takes you step by step through model development and reporting results for publication.
Transition from Student to Researcher
Helping you become a confident researcher, the book begins with an overview of when—and when not—to use statistics. It guides you through the planning and data collection phases and presents various data analysis techniques, including methods for sample size determination. The author then covers techniques for developing models that provide a basis for future research. He also discusses reporting techniques to ensure your research efforts get the proper credit. The book concludes with case-control and cohort studies.
Contents
Research Essentials
Prescription
Fundamental Concepts
Precautions
Will the Data Require Statistical Methods?
Summary
PLANNING
Hypotheses and Losses
Prescription
State the Objectives of Your Research
Gather Qualitative Data
Formulating Hypotheses
Specify the Decisions and Associated Costs
Specify the Alternatives
Summary
To Learn More
Coping with Variation
Prescription
Start with Your Reports
List All Outcomes of Interest
List All Sources of Variation
Describe How You Will Cope with Sources of Variation
Establish a Time Line
Should the Study Be Performed?
To Learn More
Experimental Design
Prescription
Define the Study Population
The Purpose of Experimenta
K.I.S.S?
Summary
To Learn More
DATA COLLECTION
Fundamentals
Prescription
How Will You Make Your Measurements?
Formal Descriptions of Methods and Materials
Put Your Data in a Computer and Keep It There
Forestall Disaster
To Learn More
Quality Control
Prescription
Potential Sources of Error
Preventive Measures
Make Baseline Measurements
Conduct a Pilot Study
Monitor the Data Collection Process
Monitor the Data
To Learn More
ANALYZING YOUR DATA
Describing the Data
Prescription
Box and Whiskers Plot
Which Statistic?
Interval Estimates
Confidence Intervals for the Population Mean
Confidence Intervals for Proportions
Estimated from Randomized Responses
Confidence Intervals for Other Population
Characteristics
An Improved Bootstrap
Summary
To Learn More
Hypothesis Tests
P...
