Analysis on Reports of Statistical Testings for Correlation and Regression

Purpose:This study aimed to examine the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for correlation and regression. Method:Original research articles utilized correlation and regression analysis were reviewed from the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Thirty-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. Result:Thirty articles (83.3%) utilized Pearsons correlational analysis, and ten articles did regression analysis. Lack of accurate understanding and interpretation of the statistical method was a main fault. Basic assumptions and diagnostic testings for each statistical method were not performed or described in most of the studies. Some points like consistency of research questions with statistical methods and criteria for sample size were still left out in part. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors in English of result tables were found in more than one third of the tables. Conclusion:The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing

Analysis on Reports of Statistical Testings for Mean Differences

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and adequacy of research papers reporting statistical testings for mean differences. Methods: Original research articles utilized t-test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA were reviewed from Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing published from the year 2004 to 2006. Seventy-six papers were evaluated in accordance with formatted criteria in respect to an inclusiveness of research title, accuracy of statistical methods and presentation styles, and errors in reporting statistical outcomes. Results: Research titles were quite comprehensive, however overall accuracy of statistical values and basic formats reached only 60 to 80% by items. Details of the presentation in the reporting of outcomes were not complied with the guidelines, which need careful concerns of the writers. Errors of English in table presentation were found in more than 30% of the papers. Conclusion: The outcome would be reflected in the submission guidelines for future writers. To reach the level comparable with internationally recognized nursing journals, concrete knowledge to apply statistical methods should be ensured in the processes of submission, reviews, and editing

Analysis of Published Papers and their Keywords in the Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing (2003-2006)

Purpose: This research was aimed to explore the major subjects and research theme and to classify characteristics of the key words in recent Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. Methods: With survey design, whole 103 published papers during 2003-2006 were analyzed with structured analysis form; research subjects, research methodology, data analysis, and key words of the published papers were classified and extracted. Various theme was founded and classified to 9 domains. Results: Most of the research subjects were women. Eighty-eight percent of papers conducted quantitative research; 83% chose convenience sampling and 69% used survey design, while experimental design was 29%. Key words were categorized 9 domains: demographic, health related concept, health behavior(intervention), sex-related, life event, disease, et al. Among 9 domains, health related concept, especially psycho-social topics such as depression, anxiety, stress were mostly studied and then physiologic topics such as labor pain, fatigue, and menstrual symptoms. Conclusion: Most of the subjects were women and the most common domain studied was health related concepts in Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing. And key words and topics were on women's health issues. We can conclude that Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing has published by her own philosophy