The Statistical Methods Frequency and Study Errors in Physical Therapy Articles in Korea: A Review from 2017-2021

• Published in: Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 2738 - 2743
• Main Authors: Jaehyun Lim, Byeonggeun Kim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 국제물리치료연구학회 31.03.2023
• Subjects: Statistical method; Error; Journal; Physical therapy; Korea citation index
• ISSN: 2092-8475; 2714-0148
• DOI: 10.20540/JIAPTR.2023.14.1.27380

Background: Korea citation index (KCI) enhances the quality of journals by securing a management system for domestic journals and strengthening the international competitiveness of excellent domestic journals. Errors in studies, papers, and investigations of statistical methods have been reported worldwide in the medical field. However, there is a lack of studies on statistical methods and error investigations in physical therapy journals in Korea. Objectives: To investigated the frequency of statistical methods and research errors in physical therapy journal articles evaluated by KCI. Design: Review. Methods: Ten journals classified as physical therapy journals by December 2021, which are candidate journals or higher, were targeted. The study focused on original articles published from 2017 to 2021 and investigated the frequency of statistical methods used, sample size calculations, result tables, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Results: Statistical methods used in physical therapy studies in Korean journals mainly employed group comparative analysis. However, in most cases, the basis for sampling, effect size, and confidence interval were not presented, even though most of the results tables were included. Conclusion: This study allowed us to examine the most frequently used statistical methods in Korean physical therapy studies and assess the reporting status of sample size calculations, result tables, effect sizes, and confidence intervals. Efforts are needed to publish high-quality papers to improve the quality of Korean physical therapy journals.