Assessing the Integrity of Clinical Data: When is Statistical Evidence Too Good to be True?

Evidence, as viewed through the lens of statistical significance, is not always as it appears! In the investigation of clinical research findings arising from statistical analyses, a fundamental initial step for the emerging fraud detective is to retrieve the source data for cross-examination with t...

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Publicado en:Topoi: An International Review of Philosophy Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 323 - 338
Autor principal: MacDougall, Margaret
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Oct2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        au: MacDougall, Margaret
        affil: Medical Statistician and Researcher in Education, Centre for Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK
      su:
        Science & ethics
        Benford's law (Statistics)
        Cluster analysis (Statistics)
        Statistical reliability
        Fraud in science
        Falsification of data
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        subj:
          Science & ethics
          Benford's law (Statistics)
          Cluster analysis (Statistics)
          Statistical reliability
          Fraud in science
          Falsification of data
      keyword:
        Baseline data
        Benford's law
        Cluster analysis
        Mahalanobis distance
        Scientific fraud
        Statistical evidence
      ab: Evidence, as viewed through the lens of statistical significance, is not always as it appears! In the investigation of clinical research findings arising from statistical analyses, a fundamental initial step for the emerging fraud detective is to retrieve the source data for cross-examination with the study data. Recognizing that source data are not always forthcoming and that, realistically speaking, the investigator may be uninitiated in fraud detection and investigation, this paper will highlight some key methodological procedures for providing a sounder evidence base for withdrawing from a study on grounds of integrity. The promotion of patient safety is paramount. However, there is a broader rationale for disseminating these ideas. This includes empowering researchers to optimize their personal integrity, make informed choices regarding membership of future research collaborations and successfully voice their concerns to journal editors, particularly where a conflict of interests can render such dialogues particularly difficult. Recommendations will be supported by topical case studies and practical steps involving data exploration, testing of baseline data and application of Benford's Law. While this paper has a clinical focus, the advice provided is transferrable to a wide range of multidisciplinary research settings outside of Medicine.
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    language: English
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