Statistical analysis – what’s the

point
Dr Vivian Auyeung
Rationale
From the Research Project KEATS page, you can access a mini module
on statistical analysis called Postgraduate Statistics Course
It will cover when particular tests are appropriate – this is especially
helpful for those analysing data
But even if you’re doing the critical review, its useful to know why we
use statistics
Some people find this scary – it doesn’t need to be!
Useful and important things to know
• Data storage – When working with NHS Trust data, you must use
OneDrive to store your data
• If you are analysing data, you can do this via SPSS or Excel
• SPSS – This software package can be downloaded from KCL’s Software
Distribution site
• https://softdist.kcl.ac.uk/
• Excel – You can access helpful tutorials through LinkedIn Learning
• https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/learningteaching/ctel/technologies/linkedin-learning
• SPSS will allow you to do more complex statistical tests but only use
this if you need to i.e. you will not be penalised if you use Excel
What do we mean by “stats”
There are two different meanings

1. Descriptive stats – describe your data set

• This refers to the use of graphs and summary statistics to capture basic
features of the data set
• Makes important features quickly known e.g. central tendency (where is most
of the data) and dispersion (how close together are the data points)
2. Inferential stats – allow you to make inferences (predictions) about
the population from which your sample is derived from
• This requires the application of an appropriate statistical test
So which statistical test do I choose?
• Each statistical test has certain assumptions about the data
• There are two ‘families’ of tests: parametric and non-parametric
• Parametric tests assume that the data is sample from a normal, or Gaussian,
distribution e.g. t-tests, ANOVA
• Non-parametric tests make no assumptions about the population distribution e.g.
Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis
• If the underlying assumptions are wrong, then the analysis output is
meaningless
• To know the correct test, you first need to know the research question
• If your dataset meets the assumptions of that test, then you can trust the
output
Decision trees
Once you know your research question,
decision trees can help you to decide which
test is appropriate

Image taken from CAHPR's Top Ten Tips

series on Statistics
https://cahpr.csp.org.uk/system/files/docum
ents/2020-06/10_statistics_v2.pdf
The role of statistical analysis 1
• The goal of statistics is to explain and predict
• The mathematical model is the formal way in which regularities in data are expressed
• The appropriateness of the model depends on its ability to account for variability in
the data
• The discrepancy between a data value and the model’s prediction is known as a
residual
• Residuals (noise) indicate unaccounted for or unexplained variability – this is assumed
to be uncontrollable
• We improve models by identifying additional factors that can explain the variability
• If a model works for existing data, it can be used to predict outcomes in the future.
i.e. we equate explanation with prediction
The role of statistical analysis 2
• In real life, some variability will always be unaccounted for
• One model is better than another if it accounts for more variability i.e.
it is more accurate
• We study variability by 1) observing this naturally or 2) create it
through experimental manipulation
• A well-designed study should eliminate bias and ensure adequate
precision
The role of statistical analysis 3
• It is important that we identify possible confounding variables i.e.
when an uncontrolled factor can also explain your study results
• We want to eliminate the possibility of there being more than one
possible explanation for our findings
• Models are the regular, replicable components in data
• In science, we value replicability over intuition
• We use statistical analysis to argue that what we have discovered is
actually true
Thank you for your
attention and good
luck!
Don’t forget the top tips:
1. Reach out to others
2. Take control of YOUR project
3. Create your own timetable
4. Practise reading AND writing