Open AccessImpact of the p-Value Threshold on Interpretation of Trial Outcomes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Author(s) -
Ann M. Bruno,
Ashley E. Shea,
Brett D. Einerson,
Torri D. Metz,
Amanda A. Allshouse,
James R. Scott,
Nathan R. Blue
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of perinatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.793
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1098-8785
pISSN - 0735-1631
DOI - 10.1055/s-0041-1731345
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , obstetrics and gynaecology , statistical significance , obstetrics , clinical significance , gynecology , exact test , evidence based medicine , pregnancy , alternative medicine , genetics , pathology , biology
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the highest level of evidence to inform clinical practice. However, the reproducibility crisis has raised concerns about the scientific rigor of published RCT findings. Some advocate for a lower p -value threshold. We aimed to review published OB/Gyn topical RCTs in three representative OB/Gyn journals and three high impact non-OB/Gyn journals to determine if their interpretations would change with adoption of a p -value threshold for significance of 0.005. Secondarily, we evaluated if there were differences in methodologic characteristics between those that did and did not lose significance.