Medical training does not allow time for such an important subject, of value not just to investigators but to readers of the scientific literature at large.  Books on statistical methods are numerous but mostly voluminous and usually written by experts outside the biomedical field.  

-                  I became preoccupied with a desire to prepare simplified information on the subject.  My desire to prepare a simplified primer on statistics became stronger while serving as a reviewer for journals and on a few editorial boards. When I became Associate Editor of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, I mentioned my desire to the Editor-in-Chief, Gailen Marshall, MD, PhD, who was very receptive and encouraging.  

-                  This supplement to the Annals was prepared in collaboration with my colleagues Steven Conrad, MD, PhD, Jerry McLarty, PhD, and Runhua Shi, MD, PhD, who have admirably presented complex topics in a simpler and clearer way.

-                  I hope that this supplement will help medical trainees and clinicians of various specialties in their interpretation of published data and their performing of research studies.