The Basic Research Workflow

This lesson connects the dots between what you have learned so far and the statistical analysis that comes later in Level 6. The workflow is: (1) Define your research question (PICO). (2) Formulate hypotheses (H₀ and H₁). (3) Choose a study design (Level 4). (4) Determine your primary outcome and data types. (5) Select the appropriate statistical test BEFORE collecting data. (6) Calculate sample size based on your expected effect. (7) Collect data. (8) Clean and prepare data. (9) Run your pre-planned analysis. (10) Interpret results (effect size, CI, p-value). (11) Write and publish. The critical point is that the analysis plan is determined by the design, not the other way around. You choose your statistical test based on your research question, data types, and study design — before you collect a single data point. This prevents the temptation to try multiple tests until one gives a significant result (p-hacking). The flowchart for choosing a statistical test follows a simple logic: What is your research question? (comparing groups, testing association, predicting outcome). What type is your outcome variable? (continuous, categorical, binary, time-to-event). How many groups are you comparing? (two, more than two). Are your data paired or independent? These questions lead to a specific test — which you will learn in Level 6. For now, understand the principle: design drives analysis. Not the reverse.