Statistics as Science and Art: The Importance of NNT (Number Needed to Treat) and the Danger of Overreliance on Statistical Significance.

This paper demonstrates how the concept of statistical significance should not be the gold standard of research and results in too many false positives. The replication crisis affecting science and other disciplines is due to the overreliance on statistical significance. The correct way to use p-values is to examine effect sizes and confidence intervals. This is why a discussion of healthcare measures such as NNT (Number Needed to Treat) and NNH (Number Needed to Harm) should be used in teaching statistics to enhance critical thinking and demonstrate the proper way to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs and medical procedures. Patients deciding whether to take a prescription drug or undergo surgery or a medical test should understand essential evaluation criteria and not rely on brochures and advertisements focusing on misleading information such as RRR (Relative Risk Reduction) or statistical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]