Status of Statistical Methods in Articles of Knowledge and Information Science

Salehi, Mohsen, Karimi, Reza and Ahmadi, Elahe Status of Statistical Methods in Articles of Knowledge and Information Science. Academic Librarianship and Information Research, 2023, vol. 57, n. 4, pp. 51-64. [Journal article (Paginated)]

[thumbnail of JLIB_Volume 57_Issue 4_Pages 51-64.pdf]
Preview
 Text
JLIB_Volume 57_Issue 4_Pages 51-64.pdf - Published version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (801kB) | Preview

English abstract

Objective: Statistical methods play an important role in achieving results and conducting analyses. The current study aims to analyze the status of statistical methods in articles of knowledge and information science. While reviewing the statistical methods used in articles, it also investigates the frequency of methodological issues. Methods: The nature of the research is a descriptive survey. The research population comprises articles published in 13 active journals in knowledge and information science in Iran until 2022. Using Cochran’s formula, 141 articles were randomly selected for this study. The research methodology was investigated in three areas: statistical methods, sampling methods, and validity and reliability. Additionally, the variables influencing the characteristics of the articles and their statistical errors were examined. Data analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS 26 software, employing descriptive statistics methods. Results: The statistical methods have been used a total of 599 times, with the most frequent application being related to descriptive statistics. Among parametric and non-parametric inferential statistical methods, the T-test, chi-square, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test are the most commonly employed in parametric and non-parametric inferential statistical methods, respectively. In the section on predictive methods and post hoc tests, the correlation coefficient and Tukey’s test stand out as the most frequent choices. Notably, the research results reveal that the most common statistical error observed in the articles is the use of parametric tests without verifying the normality of the data. Conclusions: The findings of the research show that although the authors of the articles use descriptive statistics effectively in their work, they pay less attention to inferential statistical methods. An essential consideration when employing parametric methods is ensuring that the underlying assumptions of the tests are met, as violating these assumptions can invalidate research results.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Assessment, Statistical Methods, Status, Statistical error
Subjects: A. Theoretical and general aspects of libraries and information. > AZ. None of these, but in this section.
F. Management. > FZ. None of these, but in this section.
Depositing user: Maliheh Dorkhosh
Date deposited: 01 Jun 2024 19:24
Last modified: 01 Jun 2024 19:24
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/45828

References

Abdolmaleki, H. (2021). Prevalent statistical and methodological errors of sports management articles in Persian publications. Sport Management Studies, 13(67), 170-201. https://doi.org/10.22089/smrj.2020.8815.3001 (In Persian)

Atherton, P. (1975). Research in information science: An assessment. Perspectives in information science, 665-683. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7759-7_43

Casadevall, A., Steen, R. G., & Fang, F. C. (2014). Sources of error in the retracted scientific literature. The FASEB Journal, 28(9), 3847. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.14-256735

Erdogan, M., Kaplan, H., Kayir, C. G., Asik, U. O., & Akbunar, S. (2012). Common method-related problems in selected research studies on educational sciences in Turkey. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 3230-3234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.06.042

Farahani, F., Arizi, H. R., Rahimi Nejad, A. & Ghomrani, A. (2008). An analysis of some of the common statistical errors in behavioral research. Journal of Methodology of Social Sciences and Humanities, 14(55), 85-94. (In Persian)

Kim, J. S., Kim, D. K., & Hong, S. J. (2011). Assessment of errors and misused statistics in dental research. International Dental Journal, 61(3), 163-167. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1875-595X.2011.00037.x

Morovati, M. & Erfanmanesh, M. A. (2018). Published errors and erratums in library & information science journals. Library and Information Sciences, 21(1), 3-24. https://doi.org/10.30481/lis.2018.53622 (In Persian)

Nuijten, M. B., Hartgerink, C. H., Van Assen, M. A., Epskamp, S., & Wicherts, J. M. (2016). The prevalence of statistical reporting errors in psychology, 1985–2013. Behavior research methods, 48, 1205-1226. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-015-0664-2

Rezaeian M. (2016). Retraction of the published articles due to statistical errors. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 15(7), 591-592. http://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.17353165.1395.15.7.8.5 (In Persian)

Togia, A., & Malliari, A. (2017). Research methods in library and information science. Qualitative versus quantitative research, 10.

Togia, A., & Malliari, A. (2017). Research methods in library and information science. London, IntechOpen.

Zhang, J., Zhao, Y., & Wang, Y. (2016). A study on statistical methods used in six journals of library and information science. Online information review, 40(3), 416-434. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-07-2015-0247


Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item
Contact us
Send email Sponsors
Sponsor: AIMS Sponsor: D&P Sponsor: UniNa CAB Get connected
Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Linkedin LinkedIn RSS RSS