Multiple Signifikanztests und ihre Bedeutung bei der Beurteilung von Resultaten. Qualitätsanalyse der Zeitschrift "Strahlentherapie und Onkologie"

BACKGROUND: The statistical quality of the contributions to "Strahlentherapie und Onkologie" is assessed, aiming for improvement of the journal and consequently its impact factor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: All 181 articles published during 1998 and 1999 in the categories "review", "original contribution", and "short communication" were analyzed concerning the appropriate use of multiple tests.

RESULT: One hundred and four publications were excluded from analysis, because they did not contain quantitative data or because no or only 1 statistical test was performed. In 77 publications multiple tests were done which was adequately considered in only 3 of these papers, corresponding to a fraction of 4% (95% CI: 0.8 to 11%).

CONCLUSION: Authors, peer reviewers, and editors could contribute to improve the quality of the journal by setting value on correction for multiple tests.