post-hoc analysis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "post-hoc analysis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in research and statistics to refer to an analysis conducted after an event has occurred, often to find explanations or correlations. Example: "The researchers conducted a post-hoc analysis to determine the factors that contributed to the unexpected results of the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Post-hoc analysis is fruitless".

Independent

But this is the worst kind of post-hoc analysis.

The New York Times

When appropriate Tukey HSD post-hoc analysis was performed.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Statistical comparison by ANOVA, for post-hoc analysis see text.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

For post-hoc analysis the FAS was used.

Clinical Phytoscience

Patients and methods: Post-hoc analysis of the AKIKI trial.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

So post hoc analysis will often mislead us.

The New Yorker

When necessary, post hoc analysis was performed using Bonferroni's correction.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

*Significant difference with pairwise post hoc analysis (p < 0.01).

Annals of Intensive Care

Significant results were found in post hoc analysis.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

*Wilcoxon post hoc analysis, P < 0.05 vs. baseline.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "post-hoc analysis" in scientific writing, clearly specify the statistical test used for the analysis (e.g. Tukey's HSD, Bonferroni correction) to ensure reproducibility and transparency.

Common error

Avoid overstating the significance of findings from a "post-hoc analysis" without considering the increased risk of type I errors due to multiple comparisons. Always adjust p-values appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "post-hoc analysis" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a statistical procedure used to determine where differences lie after a significant result in ANOVA. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "post-hoc analysis" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, particularly in scientific and research contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes a statistical method used after initial analysis to pinpoint specific differences. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific publications, reflecting its technical nature. When using "post-hoc analysis", be sure to specify the particular statistical test employed and acknowledge the potential for increased type I errors. While alternatives like "retrospective analysis" exist, "post-hoc analysis" remains the most precise term in statistical reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrospective analysis

Focuses on examining past events or data to draw conclusions.

after-the-fact analysis

Emphasizes that the analysis occurs after an event has already happened.

subsequent analysis

Highlights that the analysis follows a previous event or investigation.

follow-up analysis

Suggests that the analysis is conducted as a continuation of an initial study.

secondary analysis

Indicates that the analysis uses existing data for a new purpose.

ex post facto analysis

A more formal term indicating analysis performed after the fact.

post-experimental examination

Specifically refers to analysis conducted after an experiment.

outcome analysis

Focuses on analyzing the results or consequences of a particular action or event.

interpretative analysis

Highlights the subjective aspect of analyzing and making sense of data.

diagnostic analysis

Implies that the analysis aims to identify the cause or nature of a problem.

FAQs

What is "post-hoc analysis" used for?

"Post-hoc analysis" is used in statistics to determine where the significant differences lie after an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) has shown that there is a difference between groups. It helps identify which specific groups differ significantly from each other.

Which statistical tests are commonly used for "post-hoc analysis"?

Common "post-hoc analysis" tests include Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD), Bonferroni correction, Scheffe's method, and Dunnett's test. The choice of test depends on the experimental design and the desired level of stringency.

How does "post-hoc analysis" differ from planned comparisons?

"Post-hoc analysis" is performed after observing a significant overall effect, while planned comparisons are specified before the experiment begins, based on specific hypotheses. Planned comparisons are more powerful but require a priori knowledge.

Are there limitations to using "post-hoc analysis"?

Yes, "post-hoc analysis" can increase the risk of type I errors (false positives) due to multiple comparisons. It's crucial to use appropriate correction methods like Bonferroni or False Discovery Rate (FDR) to control for this risk. Also, remember that "retrospective analysis" of data will often mislead us.