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Review
. 2016 Sep;60(9):662-669.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.190623.

Basic statistical tools in research and data analysis

Zulfiqar Ali  1 , S Bala Bhaskar  2
Affiliations
Review

Basic statistical tools in research and data analysis

Zulfiqar Ali et al. Indian J Anaesth. 2016 Sep.

Erratum in

Abstract

Statistical methods involved in carrying out a study include planning, designing, collecting data, analysing, drawing meaningful interpretation and reporting of the research findings. The statistical analysis gives meaning to the meaningless numbers, thereby breathing life into a lifeless data. The results and inferences are precise only if proper statistical tests are used. This article will try to acquaint the reader with the basic research tools that are utilised while conducting various studies. The article covers a brief outline of the variables, an understanding of quantitative and qualitative variables and the measures of central tendency. An idea of the sample size estimation, power analysis and the statistical errors is given. Finally, there is a summary of parametric and non-parametric tests used for data analysis.

Keywords: Basic statistical tools; degree of dispersion; measures of central tendency; parametric tests and non-parametric tests; variables; variance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of variables
Figure 2
Figure 2
Normal distribution curve
Figure 3
Figure 3
Curves showing negatively skewed and positively skewed distribution
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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