News - Interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics - Faculty of Philosophy

10th June 2021: Research seminar online - Mariusz Maziarz (Jagiellonian University): Do medical researchers make conclusions that disagree with statistical methodology? A philosophical defense of the current practice

We have the pleasure to invite you for a research seminar in the ‘BIOUNCERTAINTY’ research project. The seminar will take place on Thursday, June 10th, at 5:30 pm on MS Teams (link below).

Abstract: Some literature reviews of published medical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting inconclusive statistical results observe that as much as two thirds of the reports include inferences that are at odds with statistical methodology. This reversal of conclusions is referred to with the notion of ‘spin’ and included in the repertoire of questionable research practices (QRPs). The purpose of my talk is to defend the practice of making inferences from inconclusive results. I proceed with case study analysis of such inferences to reconstruct the epistemic reasons justifying conclusions that remain in disagreement with statistical methodology. I also offer a distinction between statistical and substantial inferences to save the practice from accusations of disagreeing with hypothesis testing methodology.

Mariusz Maziarz is an assistant researcher in the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics in the BIOUNCERTAINTY project. He is interested in philosophical and methodological problems related to causal inference in the sciences and currently focuses on the problem of inconsistent results in medicine.

Join the meeting here

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