A trainee data analyst for a large hospital, which has higher than average patient mortality rates, has just completed an examination of key factors that may be influencing these high mortality rates. However, he finds only one statistically significant factor, which he includes in his report but deliberately, omits the other six non-significant findings. What is the term for what the data analyst has done?
A) HARKing
B) Meta-analysis
C) p-hacking
D) Bayesian analysis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data analyst has engaged in p-hacking, which involves selectively choosing which statistical tests to perform and which results to report to reach a desired conclusion. By only reporting the statistically significant finding and omitting the non-significant ones, the data analyst has distorted the results and potentially misled others. HARKing (Hypothesizing After the Results are Known) refers to the practice of formulating a hypothesis after analyzing data, which can also introduce bias. Meta-analysis is a statistical technique for combining data from multiple studies to arrive at a summary estimate. Bayesian analysis is a statistical approach that incorporates prior knowledge and assumptions to update probability estimates based on new data.

A Trainee Data Analyst for a Large Hospital, Which Has