P-value and Bayesian analysis in randomized-controlled trials in child health research published over ten years, 2007 to 2017

Objectives & Webinar Description

• Overview of two statistical frameworks – Bayesian statistics versus null hypothesis significance testing
• Limitations of the frequentist approach in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
• Is the Bayesian method a better alternative in conducting child health research?
• Is there a clustering around P-values of significance in RCTs in child health research papers?
• Findings from the ongoing review on P-value and Bayesian analysis in RCTs in child health research
• Expected impact of our study on the future of child health research
• A brief practical session on Bayesian analysis of 600 RCTs in child health research

We know that there is an unresolved debate about the reliability of the interpretation of P-value. Some of our colleagues have suggested that an alternative Bayesian method is preferred in conducting health research. We also know that RCTs are essential in generating research evidence. In this webinar, we will discuss the extent to which the inferential statistical framework in published RCTs in child health research has changed over 10 years. We will leverage our ongoing review and analysis of 600 published RCTs in child health research. We will discuss the following in this webinar:

• The main features of frequentist and Bayesian methods and address some of the limitations of frequentist
• The change in P-value and Bayesian analysis in RCTs in child health research papers published from 2007 to 2017
• Clustering around P-values of significance in RCTs in child health research papers
• Characteristics of RCTs that use Bayesian methods
• Barriers of adopting Bayesian methods in conducting RCTs in child health research
• Potentials of our study on the methodological approach to RCTs in child health

About the Presenter

Alex Aregbesola (MD, PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba. He is actively involved in clinical trials looking at the methodological approaches in conducting RCTs in children. Dr Aregbesola completed two post-doctoral fellowships, one in Finland and another in Canada and has over 20 peer-reviewed publications.