Respecto a un artículo publicado: en pos de una literatura científica en español de mayor calidad / In regard to a published article: the need to improve the quality of scientific literature in Spanish

ABSTRACT

The article by Aguirre-Ospina et al, published in your journal, is an example of the fact that imprecise language as well as errors or omissions in data management (statistical analysis) obscure and distort what could have been a useful piece of research. To the point (a) the statement "Baseline variables were analysed regarding the 2 randomisation groups with the aim of finding associations and primary and secondary outcomes" is incomprehensible; (b) Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the section "primary and secondary outcomes" are contradictory; (c) although the primary outcome is a discreet continuous variable (analog numerical scale), the statistical tests used to determine whether the differences are significant (Chi-square and Fisher'stest) are designed to assess categorical variables, and no data transformation is reported (had it been done, there would be no reason for such an omission); (d) there is a problem of semantics in the statement "Sample size was estimated with the purpose of showing pain reduction …" because sample size cannot be used to "demonstrate" but rather to avoid type I and II errors.