Trial and error: the perils of the p value
Nigel Hawkes Too many clinical trials produce results that are statistically significant but clinically meaningless, according to two US cardiologists.read more
View ArticleDon’t count the numbers, count the spoons
Nigel Hawkes The bigger a study, the better? That’s an assumption often made. But even studies that knock us out by their sheer size may be wrong.read more
View ArticleThe Lancet, WHO and Caesareans: over to the Ombudsman
Nigel Hawkes A formal complaint has been made to The Lancet’s Ombudsman over a paper on the risks of Caesareans that was the subject of a critical analysis by Straight Statistics.read more
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More pressure to dump home birth study
Nigel HawkesA letter in the current issue of the BMJ (4 September, p 473) calls for the withdrawal of an American study criticised read more
View ArticleLancet asked to review controversial birth study
Nigel Hawkes The Lancet’s Ombudsman, Dr Charles Warlow, has ruled that criticisms made here of a WHO sturead more
View ArticleFishing for significance
Nigel Hawkes Fish and the oils it contains are supposed to be good for mothers-to-be and their children. read more
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How honest are researchers?
Nigel HawkesScientists from the US are the most prone to dishonesty, claims a new paper (1) in the Journal of Medical Ethics.read more
View ArticleDeaths from alcohol foretold
Nigel Hawkes Six executives from leading drink companies have written to The Times today protesting about a story on alcohol-related deaths.read more
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Hold the front page: porn stars get STIs
Nigel Hawkes Here’s a surprise: rates of sexually-transmitted diseases are high among performers in the adult film industry.read more
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