The Emphasis Project Biostatistical Journal Club
Location: 208 Light Hall
Dates: Every fourth Monday of the month
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 (lunch is provided)
RSVP:
Samantha Martin
Note: The location and schedule are subject to change contingent on class sessions.
The club will be held in 439 Light Hall on 3/24/08
Purpose: The journal club is promoted to help medical students understand many of the complex statistical and biostatistical topics that are typically in a medical journal article. The club will assist students in understanding how to properly read a journal article. Finally the club will provide a venue for presenting medical topics by assessing the methods, displays, analysis, inferences, statistical tests, interpretations, results,and conclusions in journal articles.
Format: One article will be chosen to evaluate in a round session. Participants are encouraged to suggest articles and lead discussions.
For more information, contact :
Sharon Phillips
Mario Davidson
Biostatistician III Biostatistician III
Vanderbilt University Department of Biostatistics Vanderbilt University Department of Biostatistics
1161 21st Ave. South 1161 21st Ave. South
D-2217A Medical Center North D-2217A Medical Center North
Nashville, TN 37232-2158 Nashville, TN 37232-2158
Phone: (615)343-1153 Phone: (615)343-2272
sharon.phillips@vanderbilt.edu mario.davidson@vanderbilt.edu
A good reference for reading journal articles is:
Greenhalgh, T. (2001). How to read a paper: The basics of evidence based medicine (2nd Edition). London: BMJ Publishing Group.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1. Was the study well designed? 6. Did the researcher(s) interpret the results correctly?
2. Was the sample size large enough? 7. What were the limitations of the study?
3. Was the study continued long enough? 8. What is your reaction to the findings? Are the
4. Was the data presented effectively? findings plausible,conclusive, or inconclusive?
5. Was the proper statistical analysis conducted? 9. How can I use this article for my own research?
Articles Discussed by the Emphasis Biostatistical Journal Club
Suggestions for Useful Discussion Pieces