Poor statistical reporting: do we have a reason for concern? A narrative review and recommendations

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aim of the review conducted was to present recent articles indicating the need to implement statistical recommendations in the daily work of biomedical journals.

Recent findings: The most recent literature shows an unchanged percentage of journals using specialized statistical review over 20 years. The problems of finding statistical reviewers, the impractical way in which biostatistics is taught and the nonimplementation of published statistical recommendations contribute to the fact that a small percentage of accepted manuscripts contain correctly performed analysis. The statistical recommendations published for authors and editorial board members in recent years contain important advice, but more emphasis should be placed on their practical and rigorous implementation. If this is not the case, we will additionally continue to experience low reproducibility of the research.

Summary: There is a low level of statistical reporting these days. Recommendations related to the statistical review of submitted manuscripts should be followed more rigorously.