THE USE OF STATISTICS IN THE BRITISH-JOURNAL-OF-PSYCHIATRY

Background. Statistical error rates in the medical literature are generally high. Method. All papers published in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 1993 which presented numerical results were reviewed by the author for statistical errors. Results. A total of 248 papers were published, of which 164 (66%) presented numerical results. Sixty-five (40% of 164) papers contained statistical errors. Many errors were not serious in nature, bur some were serious enough to cast doubt on conclusions. The error rates are similar to those found in an earlier study. Conclusions. The statistical error rate is unacceptably high. There is no evidence of a change in the statistical error rate over time.