Reform of statistical inference in psychology: the case of memory & cognition

Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers : a Journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc
Sue FinchOlivia Goodman

Abstract

Geoffrey Loftus, Editor of Memory & Cognition from 1994 to 1997, strongly encouraged presentation of figures with error bars and avoidance of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST). The authors examined 696 Memory & Cognition articles published before, during, and after the Loftus editorship. Use of figures with bars increased to 47% under Loftus's editorship and then declined. Bars were rarely used for interpretation, and NHST remained almost universal. Analysis of 309 articles in other psychology journals confirmed that Loftus's influence was most evident in the articles he accepted for publication, but was otherwise limited. An e-mail survey of authors of papers accepted by Loftus revealed some support for his policy, but allegiance to traditional practices as well. Reform of psychologists' statistical practices would require more than editorial encouragement.

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Citations

Mar 3, 2005·The American Psychologist·Geoff Cumming, Sue Finch
Feb 16, 2005·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Fiona FidlerRachel Schmitt
Dec 20, 2008·Journal of Pediatric Psychology·Sue Finch, Geoff Cumming
Apr 21, 2007·Psychological Science·Geoff CummingSarah Wilson
Jan 15, 2014·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Rink HoekstraEric-Jan Wagenmakers
Sep 12, 2009·Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing·Mary Z Mays, Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk
Sep 28, 2006·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Fiona FidlerNeil Thomason
Jan 15, 2008·Behaviour Research and Therapy·Cathy FaulknerGeoff Cumming
Sep 18, 2015·Frontiers in Psychology·Jose D Perezgonzalez
Nov 14, 2013·Psychological Science·Geoff Cumming
Mar 23, 2013·Behavior Research Methods·Kris N Kirby, Daniel Gerlanc
Jan 11, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Dominique MakowskiDaniel Lüdecke

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