An introduction to inferential statistics: a review and practical guide

Marshall, Gill and Jonker, Leon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5867-4663 (2011) An introduction to inferential statistics: a review and practical guide. Radiography, 17 (1). e1-e6.

Other (Word Document) - Accepted Version Available under License CC BY-NC-ND Download (34kB)

Abstract

Building on the first part of this series regarding descriptive statistics, this paper demonstrates why it is advantageous for radiographers to understand the role of inferential statistics in deducing conclusions from a sample and their application to a wider population. This is necessary so radiographers can understand the work of others, can undertake their own research and evidence base their practice. This article explains p values and confidence intervals. It introduces the common statistical tests that comprise inferential statistics, and explains the use of parametric and non-parametric statistics. To do this, the paper reviews relevant literature, and provides a checklist of points to consider before and after applying statistical tests to a data set. The paper provides a glossary of relevant terms and the reader is advised to refer to this when any unfamiliar terms are used in the text. Together with the information provided on descriptive statistics in an earlier article, it can be used as a starting point for applying statistics in radiography practice and research.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Radiography
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	1078-8174
Departments:	Academic Departments > Medical & Sport Sciences (MSS) > Health and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	05 Apr 2011 08:53
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 10:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/526

Downloads