June 17, 2024

Redefining Statistical Significance: Robustness and Percent Fragility Indices in Biomedical Research

The p-value has long been the standard for statistical significance in scientific research, but this binary approach often fails to consider the nuances of statistical power and the potential for large sample sizes to show statistical significance despite trivial treatment effects. Incorporating fragility metrics such as the robustness index and percent fragility index into routine statistical procedures could address the reproducibility crisis and increase research efficacy. These indices provide a more comprehensive assessment of the robustness of research findings and invite a more mature phase of statistical reasoning, where significance is a multi-faceted and contextually informed judgment.

Citation: Heston TF. Redefining significance: robustness and percent fragility indices in biomedical research. Stats. 2024;7(2):537-48. https://doi.org/10.3390/stats7020033