Keith R. Lohse
No Estimation without Inference
Washington University in St. Louis
international society physiotherapy journal editors ispje recently published editorial warning many journals would soon prohibit use null hypothesis tests instead require authors interpret 95 confidence intervals relative clinically important values although encourage reporting confidence intervals discussing uncertainty context research question ispjes proposed ban illogical several instances flawed statistical reasoning editorial brief editorial 1 fails adequately grapple inherent connection hypothesis testing estimation 2 presents several misleading arguments perceived flaws hypothesis tests 3 presents alternative hypothesis testing form hypothesis test minimal effects test albeit done informally editorials arguments taken face value lower statistical literacy field readers flawed understanding pvalues editorials proposed ban put practice fear could decrease scientific integrity research removes quantitative benchmarks favor subjective interpretation confidence intervals ultimately think many ispjes concerns led editorial valid think problems result questionable research practices stemming poor methodological training authors reviewers editors problems fixed better continuing education banning statistically valid methods