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Using Bayes Factors to evaluate evidence for no effect: examples from the SIPS project

Coulton, Simon, Heather, Nick, Dienes, Zoltan (2017) Using Bayes Factors to evaluate evidence for no effect: examples from the SIPS project. Addiction, 113 (2). pp. 240-246. ISSN 0965-2140. (doi:10.1111/add.14002) (KAR id:62941)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Aims: To illustrate how Bayes Factors are important for determining the effectiveness of interventions.

Method: We consider a case where inappropriate conclusions were publicly drawn based on significance testing, namely the SIPS Project (Screening and Intervention Programme for Sensible drinking), a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial in each of two healthcare settings and in the criminal justice system. We show how Bayes Factors can disambiguate the non-significant findings from the SIPS Project and thus determine whether the findings represent evidence of absence or absence of evidence. We show how to model the sort of effects that could be expected, and how to check the robustness of the Bayes Factors.

Results: The findings from the three SIPS trials taken individually are largely uninformative but, when data from these trials are combined, there is moderate evidence for H0 and thus for a lack of effect of brief intervention compared with simple clinical feedback and an alcohol information leaflet (B = 0.24, p = 0.43).

Conclusion: Scientists who find non-significant results should suspend judgment – unless they calculate a Bayes Factor to indicate either that there is evidence for H0 over a (well-justified) H1, or else that more data is needed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/add.14002
Uncontrolled keywords: Non-significance, Bayes Factors, Evidence of absence, Alcohol brief interventions, SIPS Project
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Paula Loader
Date Deposited: 24 Aug 2017 15:01 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 17:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/62941 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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