Using and Understanding Power in Psychological Research: A Survey Study
Using and Understanding Power in Psychological Research: A Survey Study
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DOI：
10.1525/collabra.28250
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发表时间：
2021-10-04
影响因子：
2.5
通讯作者：
Watt, Roger
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Collins, Elizabeth;Watt, Roger
如果正确理解和使用，统计功效是规划研究的关键。功效是在给定α、样本量和群体效应量的情况下获得统计学显著性p值的概率。文献表明，由于样本量小，心理学研究的力量不足，研究人员对合理的样本量和相关的力量水平没有准确的直觉。在这项研究中，我们调查了214名心理学研究人员，并询问他们使用先验功率分析，效应大小估计方法，事后功率的经验，以及他们对术语“功率”实际含义的理解。功效分析的使用率很高，尽管参与者报告了复杂研究设计和效应量估计的困难。参与者通常也无法准确定义权力。如果心理学研究者被期望计算先验的力量分析来规划他们的研究，那么应该提供更清晰的教育材料和指导方针。
Statistical power is key to planning studies if understood and used correctly. Power is the probability of obtaining a statistically significant p-value, given a set alpha, sample size, and population effect size. The literature suggests that psychology studies are underpowered due to small sample sizes, and that researchers do not hold accurate intuitions about sensible sample sizes and associated levels of power. In this study, we surveyed 214 psychological researchers, and asked them about their experiences of using a priori power analysis, effect size estimation methods, post hoc power, and their understanding of what the term "power" actually means. Power analysis use was high, although participants reported difficulties with complex research designs, and effect size estimation. Participants also typically could not accurately define power. If psychological researchers are expected to compute a priori power analyses to plan their research, clearer educational material and guidelines should be made available.