Consultation with a biostatistician can dramatically impact the quality of the resident’s research project. In his biostatistics presentation at the 2005 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Dr. James DeMuth identified the key steps in the statistical analysis:

• Establish the research question.
• Formulate a hypothesis.
• Identify primary and secondary outcomes. Make sure that data are available to measure the primary outcome. 
• Select an appropriate test.
• Sample correctly.
• Collect data.
• Describe data.
• Perform a test.

To hear DeMuth’s discussion of study design, visit the ASHP 39th Midyear Clinical Meeting Synchronized Presentationsand select "Quality Practice Research, Part 3."
 
Another useful resource on descriptive and inferential statistics is Statistics at Square One.  

For an extensive review of this topic, see Dr. DeMuth’s articles entitled Preparing for the First Meeting with a Statistician and Overview of Biostatistics Used in Clinical Research.


Also see:

• Establishing Timelines
• Evaluating the Existing Evidence
• Developing the Research Question, Part I
• Developing the Reseach Question, Part II
• Efficacy vs. Effectiveness
• Writing Specific Aims
• Hypothesis Statements
• Data Sources
• Study Design
• Survey Research
• Gaining Institutional Support
• Human Subjects Protections, Part I
• Human Subjects Protections, Part II
• Data Collection, Display and Manipulation
• Grant Submissions, Part I
• Grant Submissions, Part II
• Grant Submissions, Part III 
• Research Presentations
• Submitting a Manuscript