Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results Essay

Exclusively available on IvyPanda Available only on IvyPanda

Introduction

Statistical significance and clinical importance of results are two critical elements necessary for conducting valid and reliable research in clinical nursing and evidence-based medicine to implement its outcomes into practice. However, a researcher should remember that these two concepts are not identical to each other (Burns & Grove, 2015). Hence, statistical significance and clinical importance have certain similar and different aspects, which are necessary to be identified.

We will write a custom essay on your topic a custom Essay on Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results
808 writers online

Comparing and Contrasting Concepts

Statistical significance represents statistical methods that allow researchers to estimate the probability of an observed or higher degree of correlation between independent and dependent variables with the validity of the null hypothesis. The achieved level of statistical significance is the probability of the erroneous rejection of the null hypothesis, calculated using sample data. As for clinical importance, this term means a considerable shift in the outcome between the treatment and the control group, which represents a practical impact on the patient. Statistically significant study results in clinical nursing can be interpreted as clinically important only if it has the potential to improve outcomes of medical interventions (Greenland, Senn, Rothman, et al., 2016). However, such results must be properly evaluated before they can be put into practice.

The two concepts are similar because they reflect the quality of the clinical nursing research results, and both indicators are necessary for the study’s reliability. However, it is critical to understand the main difference between them. A statistically significant result is based on the calculation of probabilistic criteria, while a clinically important result is a conclusion that has implications for the treatment and patient care.

Conclusion

The analysis of the concepts of static significance and clinical importance, which are among the main in evidence-based medicine and clinical nursing, demonstrates that, at first glance, they seem to be similar. However, it is not exactly right, because even though they are related, they reflect different sides of research outcomes. Therefore, it is vital to separate these concepts and apply both carefully in the process of conducting clinical nursing research.

References

Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2015). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.

Greenland, S., Senn, S.J., Rothman, K.J. et al. (2016). Statistical tests, P values, confidence intervals, and power: a guide to misinterpretations. European Journal of Epidemiology, 31(4), 337-350.

Print
Need an custom research paper on Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results written from scratch by a professional specifically for you?
808 writers online
Cite This paper
Select a referencing style:

Reference

IvyPanda. (2021, July 27). Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results. https://ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-significance-vs-clinical-importance-of-results/

Work Cited

"Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results." IvyPanda, 27 July 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-significance-vs-clinical-importance-of-results/.

References

IvyPanda. (2021) 'Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results'. 27 July.

References

IvyPanda. 2021. "Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results." July 27, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-significance-vs-clinical-importance-of-results/.

1. IvyPanda. "Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results." July 27, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-significance-vs-clinical-importance-of-results/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Statistical Significance vs. Clinical Importance of Results." July 27, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/statistical-significance-vs-clinical-importance-of-results/.

Powered by CiteTotal, best referencing machine
If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Request the removal
More related papers
Cite
Print
1 / 1