Matthew J. Hayat
Statistics in Nursing Research
Newark Academy|Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
welcome focused issue statistics nursing research nursing research put special call papers topic 2011 response significant included 22 submitted manuscripts submission went rigorous peer review process included multiple statistical reviewers special issue presents 10 11 accepted manuscripts articles cover broad spectrum statistical topics represent recent advances several important areas applied statistics including measurement multilevel modeling statistical inference causal inference four articles focus statistical considerations instrument development measurement stump et al vessey et al outline advantages item response theory otherwise missed classic testing theory sousa et al pawlowitz et al address growing need nursing science compare psychometric instruments use bayesian statistical methods continues grow leaps bounds statistics literature fantastic see pawlowitz et al apply inference paradigm nursing science application analysis correlated data hot topic nursing sciences including topics individual health trajectory multilevel hierarchical modeling longitudinal data analysis latent variable modeling four articles touch various aspects advanced statistical techniques hayat hedlin provide nontechnical overview topic son et al present exciting approach handling missing data using pattern mixture models spss schmiege et al give examples research questions corresponding types latent variable mixture models used address eckardt well coffman kugler present methods making causal inferences using propensity scoring promising area health sciences enables researcher make causal statements situations wherein previously possible saylor et al offer helpful insights using spss analyze large national databases sample data obtained complex sampling techniques lets consider topics generally context science lifeline scientific investigation begins research question study designed provide answer rigorous science necessitates careful consideration statistical considerations design research study ensure adequate answer natural next step conceive measurable outcomes accompanying instrumentation abundance statistical considerations arise assessment instrumentation measurement finally data collection complete statistical analysis performed lifeline scientific investigation sequential cumulative example research question poorly formulated steps follow cannot compensate similarly instrumentation poor adequately measure outcome interest sophisticated data analysis little value nurse scientist progresses cumulative process essential develop cultivate statistical mindset planning stages research needed statistical mindset goes well beyond considerations data analysis thinking statistics tool enough know statistical test use statistical thinking reasoning needed statistician nursing college collaborating nurse scientists tell colleagues come early come often always weary garbage garbage principle contribution significant planning stages research little able research design poor instrumentation inadequate statistical training develop statistical mindset essential nurse scientist much learned statistical training relatively new subfield statistics referred statistics education research need change way statistics taught thought long overdue example study hogg 1991 found students often consider statistics worst course take college statistical training nurse scientist fun interesting recent research suggests delving educating students statistical methods statistical literacy thinking reasoning training needed fact studies shown knowledge base statistical literacy reasoning thinking needed understanding published research delmas garfield ooms chance 2007 happy share news recent efforts statisticians share nursing science members statistics community statistics nursing research theme contributed topic session roundtable discussion 2011 joint statistical meetings jsm 2011 httpwwwamstatorgmeetingsjsm2011 joint statistical meetings largest gathering statisticians held north america held jointly american statistical association several international organizations meeting attended 5000 statisticians group statisticians nursing schools participated conference contributed sessions focused sessions statistics nursing research speakers gave talks statistical applications multilevel modeling nursing sciences analyzing longitudinal data nursing research experiences lessons learned collaborating nurse scientists roundtable discussion included topics related faculty appointment statistician nursing school b promotion c statistics education nursing students use statistical software e statistical consulting f interesting multitude roles statistician interdisciplinary setting consulting teaching research service fun fascinating experience connect statisticians also collaborating nurse scientists much interest continued discussion contributed topic session panel discussion roundtable discussion topic use statistics nursing sciences scheduled 2012 jsm httpwwwamstatorgmeetingsjsm2012 matthew j hayat phd assistant professor biostatistician college nursing rutgers university newark new jersey email protected