Abstracts
Selecting appropriate methods for statistical analysis may be difficult, especially for the students and others in the early phases of the research career. On the other hand, PowerPoint presentation is a very common tool to researchers and dental students, so a statistical guide based on PowerPoint could narrow the gap between orthodontist and the Biostatistics. This guide provides objective and useful information about several statistical methods using examples related to the dental field. A Power-Point presentation is employed to assist the user to find answers to common questions regarding Biostatistics, such as the most appropriate statistical test to compare groups, to make correlations and regressions or to look for systematic error for a specific method. Assistance to check normality distribution and to choose the most suitable graphics is also presented. This guide (downloadable in www.dentalpress.com.br) could be even used by reviewers in a quick assessment to check the appropriated statistical methodology into a specific study.
Biostatistics; Health statistics; Statistics; Statistical databases; Interactive tutorial
A seleção de métodos apropriados para a análise estatística pode parecer complexa, principalmente para estudantes de pós-graduação e pesquisadores no início da carreira científica. Por outro lado, a apresentação em PowerPoint é uma ferramenta comum para estudantes e pesquisadores. Assim, um tutorial de Bioestatística desenvolvido em uma apresentação em PowerPoint poderia estreitar a distância entre ortodontistas e a Bioestatística. Esse guia proporciona informações úteis e objetivas a respeito de vários métodos estatísticos empregando exemplos relacionados à Odontologia e, mais especificamente, à Ortodontia. Esse tutorial deve ser empregado, principalmente, para o usuário obter algumas respostas a questões comuns relacionadas ao teste mais apropriado para executar comparações entre grupos, examinar correlações e regressões ou analisar o erro do método. Também pode ser obtido auxílio para checar a distribuição dos dados (normal ou anormal) e a escolha do gráfico mais adequado para a apresentação dos resultados. Esse guia* pode ainda ser de bastante utilidade para revisores de periódicos examinarem, de forma rápida, a adequabilidade do método estatístico apresentado em um artigo submetido à publicação.
Bioestatística; Análise estatística; Estatísticas de Saúde; Apresentação de dados; Tutorial interativo
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A PowerPoint-based guide to assist in choosing the suitable statistical test*
David NormandoI; Leo TjäderhaneII; Cátia Cardoso Abdo QuintãoIII
IAssistant Professor. Department of Orthodontics, Federal University of Pará- UFPa, Brazil
IIProfessor. Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
IIIAssistant Professor. Department of Orthodontics, State University of Rio de Janeiro- UERJ, Brazil
Contact address
ABSTRACT
Selecting appropriate methods for statistical analysis may be difficult, especially for the students and others in the early phases of the research career. On the other hand, PowerPoint presentation is a very common tool to researchers and dental students, so a statistical guide based on PowerPoint could narrow the gap between orthodontist and the Biostatistics. This guide provides objective and useful information about several statistical methods using examples related to the dental field. A Power-Point presentation is employed to assist the user to find answers to common questions regarding biostatistics, such as the most appropriate statistical test to compare groups, to make correlations and regressions or to look for casual and systematic errors for a specific method. Assistance to check normal distribution and to choose the most suitable graphics is also presented. This guide* could be even used by reviewers in a quick assessment to check the appropriated statistical methodology into a specific study.
Keywords: Biostatistics (Public Health). Health statistics. Statistics. Statistical databases. Interactive tutorial.
INTRODUCTION
Statistical analysis is a very important tool in the validation of data obtained in a given study, as well as to a reliable extrapolation of these data for a population. Despite clinical decisions are routinely based on results of statistical analysis, it is quite common to find graduate dental students, clinicians and researchers showing a certain lack of understanding on how suitable statistics tests can be obtained. Several steps are important in the statistical analysis, a key point being the choice of the appropriate statistical test. Selecting suitable statistical test would correspond analogically to a correct diagnosis for a clinician. A misunderstanding could lead the researcher to wrong conclusions.
This "gap" between health science researchers and the understanding of mathematics and the statistical methods could justify the disinterest of a considerable part of clinical researchers and graduate students.6 The use of a clear comprehensive communication tool, such as presented here, using orthodontic subject examples could bring biostatistics closer to the orthodontics students and researchers. The main goal of this guide is to make statistical analysis more understandable, using dentist's day to day language and a well-known tool, a visual PowerPointTM presentation. This guide could be even used by the reviewers in a quick assessment to check if the appropriate statistical methodology has been employed in a specific study. It is, however, important to emphasize that the aim of this quick guide is not to underestimate the role of the biostatistician, nor their search tools, textbooks and statistical softwares.
The choice of a statistical test requires the user to know: 1) the data type (continuous, categorical: ordinal or nominal), 2) how this data is distributed after the completion of its collection (Normal or Free-distribution), and 3) the type of samples (independent or paired). A brief review is presented to introduce or remind the reader about some basic principles. Some articles in the orthodontic literature are available as reference.4,5,7
Data Types
Basically, data may be classified as quantitative (continuous) or qualitative.4 Quantitative data is measured on an interval or ratio scale and measures the data with number, such as tooth size in millimeters or incisor's inclination evaluated in degrees. After data collection, it is possible to obtain a measure for the central tendency and an estimate of variability. The most commonly used estimate of averageness is the arithmetic mean and the most common estimate of variability is the standard deviation.
Qualitative or categorical data has a limited number of distinct values or categories (discrete variable) that are classified as Ordinal or Nominal. Ordinal data should follow a crescent level of assignment order. The apical root resorption index,1 measured by an ordinal scale from 0 to 4, is an example of ordinal data. Each increasing score level reflects an increasing severity of apical root resorption. However, it can not be said that someone with a root score resorption 1 (mild resorption) has the half of root resorption of someone with a root score resorption 2 (moderate resorption). One measurement (score) is not a parameter to another. Therefore, this kind of data may be also called non-parametric. The most commonly used estimate of averageness to ordinal data is the median value, the middle observation point where half of values are higher and half are lower.
On the other hand, Nominal data is categorized data where no inherent order to the categories exists: for example, the data can be categorized according to the gender of patients or Angle classification. This type of data, consisting of whole units (discrete variable) is often described in absolute or relative frequency (percentage).
Data Distribution
There are two types of data distribution: Normal and abnormal (also called free-distribution). Normal or Gaussian distribution takes approximately the form of a bell-shaped curve when data is exposed in a curve of distribution. It can be seen that the data cluster around a central point and spread symmetrically around this center point. Many commonly used statistical tests, e.g. Student t-test, are based on parametric assumptions requiring a normal distribution.5
When the curve distribution is not a bell-shaped curve, it is called asymmetrical, abnormal or a free-distribution. Tests for abnormally distributed data are called nonparametric. The use of a parametric statistic is more likely to detect a statistically significant difference between samples when the difference is real, but use of a parametric test when the normal distribution is violated is not a correct way to perform analysis.
Before analyzing the differences between the groups, it is necessary to check the distribution of the data. If continuous data is abnormally distributed, it is necessary to choose a nonparametric statistics or to transform data into a normal distribution, applying, for example, a log transformation.4
Paired and Unpaired sample
Samples can be easily classified as paired (or dependent) and unpaired (or independent).5 A common paired design occurs when a single group of subjects is measured before and after a procedure to examine the effect of some treatment. Independent samples are consisted of different subjects on each group.
THE POWER POINT PRESENTATION
The goal of this tutorial is to produce information on the appropriate statistical test for the analysis of the results. This information will be obtained through a system of questions and replies.
To use this guide, the presentation is opened and "Slide show" mode must be selected. The first slide describes the purpose and limitations of this tutorial. One limitation in this guide is that it currently incorporates mainly statistical tests to studies that examine one variable (UNIVARIATE). The choices regarding the multivariate analysis are limited. Although multivariate analyses are still less frequently used in dental research, their use is increasing. In these cases, consultation with a biostatistician is strongly recommended.
The second slide presents a selection of links that lead the user forward according to the need. There are 5 options (Fig 1):
1) I want to assess whether my data show a normal distribution.
2) I want to make comparisons between groups.
3) I want to make correlation or regression analysis.
4) I want to check the replicability of data (systematic error).
5) I want to choose the appropriate graphics to my data.
Clicking on the icon with arrow, a link will take the user to successive questions until a response will be obtained. To reach the correct answer, the user has to understand the 3 previously described basic items (data distribution, type of variable and sample classification).
1st option: I want to assess whether my data shows a normal distribution
The first option is the analysis of data distribution. This step is not necessary when using categorical or non-parametric data. To use the parametric test properly, it must be verified if the data is continuous (if the data distribution is a bell-shaped curve) and if the variance (or standard deviation) of the variables examined are similar for each group. Some commonly used statistical tests to check normality of data distribution are pointed out (Fig 2).
2nd option: I want to make comparisons between groups
The second option of the presentation is an indication of the appropriated test for a statistical analysis comparing means. Means difference analysis is the most usual statistical test employed in Orthodontics.2 When clicking on the icon, the user will have to answer what type of data-continuous, nominal or ordinal-was obtained (Fig 3). Then, the presentation will ask questions regarding the number of sample groups (Fig 4, A) and if examined groups are paired or not (Fig 4, B).
3rd option: I want to make correlation or regression analysis
The third option describes the statistical test for correlation tests or regression analysis (Fig 1). As well as in step 2 (Comparisons between groups), the user must choose the type of data (Fig 3) to get the answer (Fig 5).
4th option: I want to check the replicability of data (systematic and casual errors)
The error analysis of method is frequent in scientific research. In recent years, about 70% of the articles published in Orthodontics presented some type of error analysis.3 The observation of a systematic error of a method used by a researcher is usually achieved by making double measurements. These double data must show a high level of reproducibility or replicability.
The 4th option of this presentation concerns the review of systematic error. The steps to be performed are similar to the previous ones. After defining that you want to analyze the replicability of the data (Fig 1), the user must define what type of data you have (Fig 3), before the answer will be shown (Fig 6).
5th option: I want to choose the appropriate graphic to the data obtained
Usually the researcher is just focused on graph presentations of the mean. However, graphics should highlight data dispersion, such as standard deviation or variance to parametric data, or the interquartile range to non-parametric data. The 5th step of this presentation is related to the selection of informative graphs.
The initial steps are the same as shown earlier. After the choice of the option you want to run (Fig 1), the user must choose the type of data that is being evaluated in the study (Fig 3). In case of continuous or ordinal data, a slide will appear to allow selection between paired or unpaired samples, or if a correlation or regression analysis has been performed (Fig 7, A and B). If the data is nominal, the answer will be directly presented.
REFERENCES
- 1. Levander E, Malmgren O. Evaluation of the risk of root resorption during orthodontic treatment: a study of upper incisors. Eur J Orthod. 1988 Feb;10(1):30-8.
- 2. Lian T, Cuoghi OA. O uso da estatística na Ortodontia. Rev Dental Press Ortod Ortop Facial. 2004 Nov/Dez;9(6):97-108.
- 3. Normando ADC, Quintão, CCA, Almeida, MAO. Análise do emprego do cálculo amostral e do erro do método em pesquisas científicas publicadas na literatura ortodôntica nacional e internacional. Rev Dental Press Ortod Ortop Facial. (no prelo).
- 4. Sheats RD, Pankratz VS. Understanding distributions and data types. Semin Orthod. 2002 June;8(2):62-6.
- 5. Sheats RD, Pankratz VS. Common statistical tests. Semin Orthod. 2002 June;8(2):77-86.
- 6. Torgerson DJ, Miles JN. Simple sample size calculation. J Eval Clin Pract. 2007;13(6):952-3.
- 7. Valladares JVN, Domingues MHMS, Capelozza Filho L. Pesquisa em Ortodontia: bases para a produção e a análise crítica. Rev Dental Press Ortod Ortop Facial. 2000 jul/ago;5(4):89-105.
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
03 May 2010 -
Date of issue
Feb 2010
History
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Received
Oct 2008 -
Accepted
Nov 2008
