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Suggestions for Presenting the Results of Data Analyses

An Invited Paper by:

David R. Anderson, William A. Link, Douglas H. Johnson, and Kenneth P. Burnham

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Abstract: We give suggestions for the presentation of research results from frequentist, information-theoretic, and Bayesian analysis paradigms, followed by several general suggestions. The information-theoretic and Bayesian methods offer alternative approaches to data analysis and inference compared to traditionally used methods. Guidance is lacking on the presentation of results under these alternative procedures and on nontesting aspects of classical frequentists methods of statistical analysis. Null hypothesis testing has come under intense criticism. We recommend less reporting of the results of statistical tests of null hypotheses in cases where the null is surely false anyway, or where the null hypothesis is of little interest to science or management.

Key words: AIC, Bayesian statistics, frequentist methods, information-theoretic methods, likelihood, publication guidelines.

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This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication 1138):

Anderson, David R., William A. Link, Douglas H. Johnson, and Kenneth P. 
     Burnham.  2001.  Suggestions for presenting the results of data 
     analyses.  Journal of Wildlife Management 65(3):373-378.

This resource should be cited as:

Anderson, David R., William A. Link, Douglas H. Johnson, and Kenneth P. 
     Burnham.  2001.  Suggestions for presenting the results of data 
     analyses.  Journal of Wildlife Management 65(3):373-378.
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.  
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/methods/pressugg/index.htm  
     (Version 01OCT2001).

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Frequentist Methods
• Information-Theoretic Methods
• Bayesian Methods
• General Considerations Concerning the Presentation of Results
• Literature Cited

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David R. Anderson*, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Room 201 Wagar Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.  E-mail: anderson@cnr.colostate.edu
William A. Link, U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
Douglas H. Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401, USA
Kenneth P. Burnham*, Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Room 201 Wagar Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
* Employed by U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division

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