Title | Power failure: why small sample size undermines the reliability of neuroscience. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Button KS, Ioannidis JPA, Mokrysz C, Nosek BA, Flint J, Robinson ESJ, Munafò MR |
Journal | Nat Rev Neurosci |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 365-76 |
Date Published | 2013 05 |
ISSN | 1471-0048 |
Keywords | Humans, Neurosciences, Probability, Reproducibility of Results, Sample Size |
Abstract | A study with low statistical power has a reduced chance of detecting a true effect, but it is less well appreciated that low power also reduces the likelihood that a statistically significant result reflects a true effect. Here, we show that the average statistical power of studies in the neurosciences is very low. The consequences of this include overestimates of effect size and low reproducibility of results. There are also ethical dimensions to this problem, as unreliable research is inefficient and wasteful. Improving reproducibility in neuroscience is a key priority and requires attention to well-established but often ignored methodological principles. |
DOI | 10.1038/nrn3475 |
Alternate Journal | Nat Rev Neurosci |
PubMed ID | 23571845 |
Grant List | 090532 / / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom / / British Heart Foundation / United Kingdom / / Medical Research Council / United Kingdom |