The Religion of Statistics as Practiced in Medical Journals

The way in which hypothesis tests are often used as the sole tool of statistics in medical research is satirized and followed by a suggestion for reform.

Abstract

Abstract Commentaries are informative essays dealing with viewpoints of statistical practice, statistical education, and other topics considered to be of general interest to the broad readership of The American Statistician. Commentaries are similar in spirit to Letters to the Editor, but they involve longer discussions of background, issues, and perspectives. All commentaries will be refereed for their merit and compatibility with these criteria. The way in which hypothesis tests are often used as the sole tool of statistics in medical research is satirized. This is followed by a suggestion for reform.