Planning, Performing, and Writing a Radiologic Study
F. Sardanelli, G. Di Leo
Springer 2010

Many radiological manuscripts are burdened by limitations relating to study design, definition of enrollment criteria and standard of reference, lack of preliminary estimation of sample size, and incorrect use of statistical tests. These limitations sometimes oblige the reviewer to recommend rejection of a manuscript more frequently than would be the case if rejection were based solely on inherent errors in technical performance or interpretation of imaging modalities.
An underlying aim of this book is to facilitate the interaction between radiologists and statisticians by explaining the basics of statistical methods as applied to medical imaging. The intention is to help develop a way of thinking beyond merely how to perform calculations and get p values. Thus, radiologists will be able to solve small statistical problems and, more importantly, to assume the right perspective during the crucial phase when a study is planned and undertaken.
Introduction – Diagnostic Performance – Variables and Measurement Scales, Normal Distribution, and Confidence Intervals – Null Hypothesis, Statistical Significance and Power – Non-Parametric Statistics – Linear Correlation and Regression – Reproducibility: Intraobserver and Interobserver Variability – Study Design, Systematic Reviews, and Levels of Evidence – Bias in Studies on Diagnostic Performance – How to Write a Radiologic Paper
Introduction – Diagnostic Performance – Variables and Measurement Scales, Normal Distribution, and Confidence Intervals – Null Hypothesis, Statistical Significance and Power – Non-Parametric Statistics – Linear Correlation and Regression – Reproducibility: Intraobserver and Interobserver Variability – Study Design, Systematic Reviews, and Levels of Evidence – Bias in Studies on Diagnostic Performance –
Introduction
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
Delayed Diffusion of EBM in Radiology and Peculiar Features of Evidence-Based Radiology
Health Technology Assessment in Radiology and Hierarchy of Studies on Diagnostic Tests
Why do we Need Biostatistics?
The Structure of this Book
References
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How to Write a Radiologic Paper
Major Papers, Minor Papers, Invited Papers
Which Medical Journal?
Do We Always Need Institutional Review Board Approval and Informed Consent?
Title, Running Title and Title Page
Four-section Scheme, Section Size and Editing Sequence
«Introduction»: Why Did You Do It?
«Materials and Methods»: What Did You Do and How Did You Do It?
«Results»: What Did You Find?
«Discussion»: What Is the Meaning of Your Findings?
«References»
«Abstract» and «Keywords»
Shared Rules
Other Recommendations
Dealing with the Editor’s Response and the Reviewers’ Opinions
To Conclude
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