Data dredging is equivalent to "statistical fishing". In data-sets with
a large number of variables (risk factors and/or outcomes) you can
conduct a large number of statistical tests. Some of these tests will be
significant just by chance (5% if you use a 0.05 cut point for
statistical significance), leading to false positive findings. See
"Smith GD, Ebrahim S. Data dredging, bias, or confounding. They can all
get you into the BMJ and the Friday papers. BMJ 2002;325:1437-1438 (21
December)". Is available online at
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/325/7378/1437
Leonelo E. Bautista, MD, DrPH
Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin Medical School
Population Health Sciences
610 Walnut Street, 703 WARF
Madison, WI 53726-2397
Phone: (608)265-6176
Fax: (608)263-2820
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Xavi Barber
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 4:45 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: st: Meta-Regression: Data dredging
Dears statalisters,
I'm a spanish researcher, I'm working in Public Health in
Alicante(Spain).
I'm reading about Meta-regression, but I don't undernstant the meaning
of
the word DATA DREDGING.
Can You help me?
thanks
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