Good analytical practice: statistics and handling data in biomedical science: A primer and directions for authors. Part 2: analysis of data from three or more groups, and instructions for authors

Biomedical scientists are bombarded daily by information, almost all of which refers to the health status of an individual or groups of individuals. This article is the second of a two-part review written to explain some of the issues related to presentation and analysis of data. In the first part (Br J Biomed Sci 2008; 65: 209-17) we focused on types of data, and how to analyse and present the data from an individual or from two groups of persons. Here, we will continue with an examination of data from three or more sets of persons, what methods are available to allow this analysis (i.e., statistical software packages), and will conclude with a statement on appropriate descriptors of data, their analyses and presentation, for authors considering submitting their data to this journal.