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When Null Hypothesis Significance Testing Is Unsuitable for Research: A Reassessment.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ioannidis, John PA 

Abstract

Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) has several shortcomings that are likely contributing factors behind the widely debated replication crisis of (cognitive) neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical science in general. We review these shortcomings and suggest that, after sustained negative experience, NHST should no longer be the default, dominant statistical practice of all biomedical and psychological research. If theoretical predictions are weak we should not rely on all or nothing hypothesis tests. Different inferential methods may be most suitable for different types of research questions. Whenever researchers use NHST they should justify its use, and publish pre-study power calculations and effect sizes, including negative findings. Hypothesis-testing studies should be pre-registered and optimally raw data published. The current statistics lite educational approach for students that has sustained the widespread, spurious use of NHST should be phased out.

Description

Keywords

Bayesian methods, false positive findings, null hypothesis significance testing, replication crisis, research methodology

Journal Title

Front Hum Neurosci

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1662-5161
1662-5161

Volume Title

11

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA
Sponsorship
James S McDonnell Foundation (220020370)