The eye of the beholder: how do public health researchers interpret regression coefficients? A qualitative study

Abstract Background Calls for improved statistical literacy and transparency in population health research are widespread, but empirical accounts describing how researchers understand statistical methods are lacking. To address this gap, this study aimed to explore variation in researchers’ interpretations and understanding of regression coefficients, and the extent to which these statistics are viewed as straightforward statements about health. Methods Thematic analysis of qualitative data from 45 one-to-one interviews with academics from eight countries, representing 12 disciplines. Three concepts from the sociology of scientific knowledge and science studies aided analysis: Duhem’s Paradox, the Agonistic Field, and Mechanical Objectivity. Results Some interviewees viewed regression as a process of discovering ‘real’ relationships, while others indicated that regression models are not direct representations, and others blended these perspectives. Regression coefficients were generally not viewed as being mechanically objective, instead interpretation was d