Statistical Primer for Athletic Trainers: Understanding the Role of Statistical Power in Comparative Athletic Training Research

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Publication Title

Journal of Athletic Training

DOI

10.4085/1062-6050-284-17

ISSN

1938-162X

Abstract

Objective:

To describe the concept of statistical power as related to comparative interventions and how various factors, including sample size, affect statistical power. Background:

Having a sufficiently sized sample for a study is necessary for an investigation to demonstrate that an effective treatment is statistically superior. Many researchers fail to conduct and report a priori sample-size estimates, which then makes it difficult to interpret nonsignificant results and causes the clinician to question the planning of the research design. Description:

Statistical power is the probability of statistically detecting a treatment effect when one truly exists. The α level, a measure of differences between groups, the variability of the data, and the sample size all affect statistical power. Recommendations:

Authors should conduct and provide the results of a priori sample-size estimations in the literature. This will assist clinicians in determining whether the lack of a statistically significant treatment effect is due to an underpowered study or to a treatment's actually having no effect.

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