[Appropriate application of statistical methods in physiological research].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To offer a series of efficient methods to physiologists in appropriate selection, and application of statistical techniques. METHODS: We bring about two questions as followsWhat's the role of statistics in the process of a physiological research? How to make sure the results produced in a physiological research can be repeatable in practice in the long run. From the answers to these two questions, we highlight the importance of the discipline of statistics to research work, explain why it is difficult, how to choose a suitable statistical method in a specific situation, and offer the critical methods to use statistics accurately and appropriately. RESULTS: We abstract three core sections from the discipline of statisticshow to make the design of a study impeccable; How to strictly follow the protocol of a study, and How to draw conclusions well reasoned and strongly supported by evidence. By elaborating these sections, it is feasible to correctly use statistical methods for data analysis and results interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: In physiological research, conclusion can stand with time and repeatable in practice only when researchers strictly and rigorously follow the rule of scientific research.