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  1. Article ; Online: Missing the point

    Adrian G Barnett

    F1000Research, Vol

    are journals using the ideal number of decimal places? [version 3; referees: 2 approved]

    2018  Volume 7

    Abstract: Background: The scientific literature is growing in volume and reducing in readability. Poorly presented numbers decrease readability by either fatiguing the reader with too many decimal places, or confusing the reader by not using enough decimal places, ...

    Abstract Background: The scientific literature is growing in volume and reducing in readability. Poorly presented numbers decrease readability by either fatiguing the reader with too many decimal places, or confusing the reader by not using enough decimal places, and so making it difficult to comprehend differences between numbers. There are guidelines for the ideal number of decimal places, and in this paper I examine how often percents meet these guidelines. Methods: Percents were extracted from the abstracts of research articles published in 2017 in 23 selected journals. Percents were excluded if they referred to a statistical interval, typically a 95% confidence interval. Counts and percents were calculated for the number of percents using too few or too many decimal places, and these percents were compared between journals. Results: The sample had over 43,000 percents from around 9,500 abstracts. Only 55% of the percents were presented according to the guidelines. The most common issue was using too many decimal places (33%), rather than too few (12%). There was a wide variation in presentation between journals, with the range of ideal presentation from a low of 53% (JAMA) to a high of 80% (Lancet Planetary Health). Conclusions: Many percents did not adhere to the guidelines on using decimal places. Using the recommended number of decimal places would make papers easier to read and reduce the burden on readers, and potentially improve comprehension. It should be possible to provide automated feedback to authors on which numbers could be better presented.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 050
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher F1000 Research Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Missing the point

    Adrian G Barnett

    F1000Research, Vol

    are journals using the ideal number of decimal places? [version 2; referees: 2 approved]

    2018  Volume 7

    Abstract: Background: The scientific literature is growing in volume and reducing in readability. Poorly presented numbers decrease readability by either fatiguing the reader with too many decimal places, or confusing the reader by not using enough decimal places, ...

    Abstract Background: The scientific literature is growing in volume and reducing in readability. Poorly presented numbers decrease readability by either fatiguing the reader with too many decimal places, or confusing the reader by not using enough decimal places, and so making it difficult to comprehend differences between numbers. There are guidelines for the ideal number of decimal places, and in this paper I examine how often percents meet these guidelines. Methods: Percents were extracted from the abstracts of research articles published in 2017 in 23 selected journals. Percents were excluded if they referred to a statistical interval, typically a 95% confidence interval. Counts and percents were calculated for the number of percents using too few or too many decimal places, and these percents were compared between journals. Results: The sample had over 43,000 percents from around 9,500 abstracts. Only 55% of the percents were presented according to the guidelines. The most common issue was using too many decimal places (33%), rather than too few (12%). There was a wide variation in presentation between journals, with the range of ideal presentation from a low of 53% (JAMA) to a high of 80% (Lancet Planetary Health). Conclusions: Many percents did not adhere to the guidelines on using decimal places. Using the recommended number of decimal places would make papers easier to read and reduce the burden on readers, and potentially improve comprehension. It should be possible to provide automated feedback to authors on which numbers could be better presented.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 050
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher F1000 Research Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

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  3. Article ; Online: An observational analysis of the trope “A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant” and other cut-and-paste statistical methods

    Nicole M. White / Thirunavukarasu Balasubramaniam / Richi Nayak / Adrian G. Barnett

    PLoS ONE, Vol 17, Iss

    2022  Volume 3

    Abstract: Appropriate descriptions of statistical methods are essential for evaluating research quality and reproducibility. Despite continued efforts to improve reporting in publications, inadequate descriptions of statistical methods persist. At times, reading ... ...

    Abstract Appropriate descriptions of statistical methods are essential for evaluating research quality and reproducibility. Despite continued efforts to improve reporting in publications, inadequate descriptions of statistical methods persist. At times, reading statistical methods sections can conjure feelings of dèjá vu, with content resembling cut-and-pasted or “boilerplate text” from already published work. Instances of boilerplate text suggest a mechanistic approach to statistical analysis, where the same default methods are being used and described using standardized text. To investigate the extent of this practice, we analyzed text extracted from published statistical methods sections from PLOS ONE and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Topic modeling was applied to analyze data from 111,731 papers published in PLOS ONE and 9,523 studies registered with the ANZCTR. PLOS ONE topics emphasized definitions of statistical significance, software and descriptive statistics. One in three PLOS ONE papers contained at least 1 sentence that was a direct copy from another paper. 12,675 papers (11%) closely matched to the sentence “a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant”. Common topics across ANZCTR studies differentiated between study designs and analysis methods, with matching text found in approximately 3% of sections. Our findings quantify a serious problem affecting the reporting of statistical methods and shed light on perceptions about the communication of statistics as part of the scientific process. Results further emphasize the importance of rigorous statistical review to ensure that adequate descriptions of methods are prioritized over relatively minor details such as p-values and software when reporting research outcomes.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

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  4. Article ; Online: An observational analysis of the trope "A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant" and other cut-and-paste statistical methods.

    Nicole M White / Thirunavukarasu Balasubramaniam / Richi Nayak / Adrian G Barnett

    PLoS ONE, Vol 17, Iss 3, p e

    2022  Volume 0264360

    Abstract: Appropriate descriptions of statistical methods are essential for evaluating research quality and reproducibility. Despite continued efforts to improve reporting in publications, inadequate descriptions of statistical methods persist. At times, reading ... ...

    Abstract Appropriate descriptions of statistical methods are essential for evaluating research quality and reproducibility. Despite continued efforts to improve reporting in publications, inadequate descriptions of statistical methods persist. At times, reading statistical methods sections can conjure feelings of dèjá vu, with content resembling cut-and-pasted or "boilerplate text" from already published work. Instances of boilerplate text suggest a mechanistic approach to statistical analysis, where the same default methods are being used and described using standardized text. To investigate the extent of this practice, we analyzed text extracted from published statistical methods sections from PLOS ONE and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Topic modeling was applied to analyze data from 111,731 papers published in PLOS ONE and 9,523 studies registered with the ANZCTR. PLOS ONE topics emphasized definitions of statistical significance, software and descriptive statistics. One in three PLOS ONE papers contained at least 1 sentence that was a direct copy from another paper. 12,675 papers (11%) closely matched to the sentence "a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant". Common topics across ANZCTR studies differentiated between study designs and analysis methods, with matching text found in approximately 3% of sections. Our findings quantify a serious problem affecting the reporting of statistical methods and shed light on perceptions about the communication of statistics as part of the scientific process. Results further emphasize the importance of rigorous statistical review to ensure that adequate descriptions of methods are prioritized over relatively minor details such as p-values and software when reporting research outcomes.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 310
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    Full text online

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

    Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

  5. Article ; Online: The impact of caring for children on women's research output

    Lauren Sewell / Adrian G Barnett

    PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 3, p e

    A retrospective cohort study.

    2019  Volume 0214047

    Abstract: We used a retrospective cohort study to measure the impact of caring for children on female Australian researchers. Our aim was to see whether caring for children was associated with reduced outputs and collaboration. Women were randomly selected for ... ...

    Abstract We used a retrospective cohort study to measure the impact of caring for children on female Australian researchers. Our aim was to see whether caring for children was associated with reduced outputs and collaboration. Women were randomly selected for inclusion if they published a first author paper in one of three Australian journals during 2007 to 2015, women who did not publish during this time were not included. One-hundred and sixty women were approached and 95 (59%) completed a survey on their history of caring for children. Two key outcomes were the women's publication and citation counts, which were accessed from Scopus. We also examined the number of authors, affiliations and countries on their published papers, as a reduction in these numbers could indicate an impaired ability to collaborate. We examined the probability of being first or last author as a measure of esteem. There was a small increase in publication counts after the first child that was reversed after the second child. Average citations counts declined after children, particularly after the second child. There was some evidence of a reduced collaboration with overseas collaborators after the first child. The probability of being the last author increased after the second child. Three women were identified as statistically influential and all three had children and were in the top 10% of overall publications and citations. After removing these women the estimated changes in outcomes were noticeably different for most of the outcomes. The repeated presence of statistically influential women shows that it may be impossible to find an "average impact" of caring for children when considering research output. Adjustments may need to be made individually, with women explaining how caring for children has altered their career.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    Full text online

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

    Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

  6. Article ; Online: Turning the tables

    Adrian G. Barnett / David Moher

    F1000Research, Vol

    A university league-table based on quality not quantity [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

    2019  Volume 8

    Abstract: Background: Universities closely watch international league tables because these tables influence governments, donors and students. Achieving a high ranking in a table, or an annual rise in ranking, allows universities to promote their achievements using ...

    Abstract Background: Universities closely watch international league tables because these tables influence governments, donors and students. Achieving a high ranking in a table, or an annual rise in ranking, allows universities to promote their achievements using an externally validated measure. However, league tables predominantly reward measures of research output, such as publications and citations, and may therefore be promoting poor research practices by encouraging the “publish or perish” mentality. Methods: We examined whether a league table could be created based on good research practice. We rewarded researchers who cited a reporting guideline, which help researchers report their research completely, accurately and transparently, and were created to reduce the waste of poorly described research. We used the EQUATOR guidelines, which means our tables are mostly relevant to health and medical research. We used Scopus to identify the citations. Results: Our cross-sectional tables for the years 2016 and 2017 included 14,408 papers with 47,876 author affiliations. We ranked universities and included a bootstrap measure of uncertainty. We clustered universities in five similar groups in an effort to avoid over-interpreting small differences in ranks. Conclusions: We believe there is merit in considering more socially responsible criteria for ranking universities, and this could encourage better research practice internationally if such tables become as valued as the current quantity-focused tables.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 001
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher F1000 Research Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    Full text online

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    Kategorien

    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

    Your chosen title can be delivered directly to ZB MED Cologne location if you are registered as a user at ZB MED Cologne.

  7. Article ; Online: Turning the tables

    Adrian G. Barnett / David Moher

    F1000Research, Vol

    A university league-table based on quality not quantity [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

    2019  Volume 8

    Abstract: Background: Universities closely watch international league tables because these tables influence governments, donors and students. Achieving a high ranking in a table, or an annual rise in ranking, allows universities to promote their achievements using ...

    Abstract Background: Universities closely watch international league tables because these tables influence governments, donors and students. Achieving a high ranking in a table, or an annual rise in ranking, allows universities to promote their achievements using an externally validated measure. However, league tables predominantly reward measures of research output, such as publications and citations, and may therefore be promoting poor research practices by encouraging the “publish or perish” mentality. Methods: We examined whether a league table could be created based on good research practice. We rewarded researchers who cited a reporting guideline, which help researchers report their research completely, accurately and transparently, and were created to reduce the waste of poorly described research. We used the EQUATOR guidelines, which means our tables are mostly relevant to health and medical research. Results: Our cross-sectional tables for the years 2016 and 2017 included 14,408 papers with 47,876 author affiliations. We ranked universities and included a bootstrap measure of uncertainty. We clustered universities in five similar groups in an effort to avoid over-interpreting small differences in ranks. Conclusions: We believe there is merit in considering more socially responsible criteria for ranking universities, and this could encourage better research practice internationally if such tables become as valued as the current quantity-focused tables.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 001
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher F1000 Research Ltd
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

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  8. Article ; Online: Funding by Lottery

    Adrian G. Barnett

    mBio, Vol 7, Iss 4, p e01369-

    Political Problems and Research Opportunities

    2016  Volume 16

    Keywords Science ; Q ; Microbiology ; QR1-502
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher American Society for Microbiology
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

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  9. Article ; Online: Did awarding badges increase data sharing in BMJ Open? A randomized controlled trial

    Anisa Rowhani-Farid / Adrian Aldcroft / Adrian G. Barnett

    Royal Society Open Science, Vol 7, Iss

    2020  Volume 3

    Abstract: Sharing data and code are important components of reproducible research. Data sharing in research is widely discussed in the literature; however, there are no well-established evidence-based incentives that reward data sharing, nor randomized studies ... ...

    Abstract Sharing data and code are important components of reproducible research. Data sharing in research is widely discussed in the literature; however, there are no well-established evidence-based incentives that reward data sharing, nor randomized studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of data sharing policies at increasing data sharing. A simple incentive, such as an Open Data Badge, might provide the change needed to increase data sharing in health and medical research. This study was a parallel group randomized controlled trial (protocol registration: doi:10.17605/OSF.IO/PXWZQ) with two groups, control and intervention, with 80 research articles published in BMJ Open per group, with a total of 160 research articles. The intervention group received an email offer for an Open Data Badge if they shared their data along with their final publication and the control group received an email with no offer of a badge if they shared their data with their final publication. The primary outcome was the data sharing rate. Badges did not noticeably motivate researchers who published in BMJ Open to share their data; the odds of awarding badges were nearly equal in the intervention and control groups (odds ratio = 0.9, 95% CI [0.1, 9.0]). Data sharing rates were low in both groups, with just two datasets shared in each of the intervention and control groups. The global movement towards open science has made significant gains with the development of numerous data sharing policies and tools. What remains to be established is an effective incentive that motivates researchers to take up such tools to share their data.
    Keywords incentives ; data sharing ; reproducibility ; policy ; open science ; randomized controlled trial ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher The Royal Society
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: It's safe to say there is no safe level of air pollution

    Adrian G. Barnett

    Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Vol 38, Iss 5, Pp 407-

    2014  Volume 408

    Keywords Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Language English
    Publishing date 2014-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Wiley
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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    Inter-library loan at ZB MED

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