Praise for Tom’s workshop on interpreting and reporting statistics

“Thank you for making statistics understoodable!” From a physician at Sichuan Medical University, Chengdu, China

The course was far more interesting and accessible than I anticipated. I would take another course from Mr. Lang and recommend my colleagues do the same. From an American Medical Writers Association conference

Excellent workshop – better than all of my grad school stat classes. From a physician-researcher at the Cleveland Clinic

Brilliant! Tom’s command of the subject is amazing. The value of this workshop is priceless . . . From a student at the University of Chicago’s course on statistics for medical writers and editors

This [statistics] workshop was well thought out and very well led. Tom made an intimidating topic very approachable, and he was organized, kept things moving, and was very clear. Thank you!! From a European medical writer

I do not know of anybody who could have explained this material to this level of detail and audience understanding. Amazing! Thank you! From a Japanese researcher

It was perfectly focused for the target audience – it was just what I needed for a basic understanding of the statistics I run into at work. From a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry

[Link to more comments]

Tom Lang

• Former Manager, Medical Editing Services, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

• Former Senior Scientific Writer, New England Cochrane Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center

• Participant, CONSORT, MOOSE, and PRISMA standards-setting groups

• Past President, Council of Science Editors

• 2002 Excellence in Continuing Education Award, American Statistical Association

• Golden Apple Award, Outstanding Workshop Leader, American Medical Writers Association

• 2002 Harold Swanberg Distinguished Service Award for contributions to medical communications, American Medical Writers Association

• MA, Communications Management, Annenberg School for Communication, USC

[Link to Vitae]

Publications


Click here for a PDF version

Publications: Articles

Lang T. Choosing and Communicating with Journals. J Pub Health Emerg. 2018. In press.

Lang T. Writing a better research article. J Pub Health Emerg. 2017. doi: 10.21037/jphe.2017.11.06

Lang T. Improving statistical reporting in medical research journals. Medical Writing: The Backbone of Clinical Development. International Clinical Trials. Special Edition 2017 February:59-62.

Lang T. How to shorten a text by up to 30% and improve clarity without losing information. Medical Writing. 2017;26(1):21-5.

Lang T. Odd cases and risky cohorts: measures of risk and association in observational studies. Medical Writing. 2017;26(3):12-16.

Lang T, Altman D. Statistical analyses and methods in the published literature: The SAMPL Guidelines. Medical Writing. 2016;25(3):31-6. Reprinted.

Lang T. The illusion of certainty and the certainty of illusion: a case study of misunderstandings in scientific articles. Medical Writing. 2016;25(3):12-6. Reprinted.

Lang T. Never P alone: the value of estimates and confidence intervals. Medical Writing. 2016;25(3):17-21

Lang T. Six articles on basic statistical concepts translated into Japanese and posted on Ronbun.jp, a large website with resources designed to help Japanese authors prepare scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Invited articles ♦

Lang T. Medical writing up close and professional: establishing our identity. AMWA J. 2015;30(1):10-17.

Lang T, Altman D. Statistical analyses and methods in the published literature: The SAMPL Guidelines. Int J Nurs Stud. 2015 Jan;52(1):5-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.09.006. Epub 2014 Sep 28. Reprinted.

Lang T. The illusion of certainty and the certainty of illusion: a case study of misunderstandings in scientific articles. AMWA J. 2013;28(3):105-9. ♦

Lang T, Talerico C, Siontis GCM. Documenting clinical and laboratory images in publications: The CLIP Principles. CHEST. 2012;141(6):1626-32.

Lang TA. The illusion of certainty and the certainty of illusion: a caution when reading scientific articles. J Occup Environ Med [Iran]. 2011;2(2):118-23. Invited article.

Lang TA, Lundberg G. Why not write it clearly? medpageTODAY. May 16, 2011. http://www.medpagetoday.com/columns/26510. Invited article.

Lang TA. Doing certification right: avoiding the one-score, one-test, one-time, one-size-fits-all examination trap. AMWA J. 2012;26(3):101-5.

Harvey B, Lang TA. Hypothesis testing, study power, and sample size. CHEST. 2010;137: DOI:10.1378︎chest.10- 0067. Invited article.

Lang TA. A checklist for Chinese authors publishing clinical research in scientific journals. Di-San Junyi Daxue Xuebao [Acta Academiae Medicinae Militaris Tertiae] (The Journal of The Third Military Medical University). 2010;32(19):2039-44. Invited article.

Lang TA. CONSORTing with a QUOROM of MOOSES: The standards movement in scientific reporting. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010;29(1):28-9. Invited article.

Lang TA. Just who are we and what are we doing, anyway? Needed research in medical writing. AMWA J.
2009;24(3):106-12. Invited article.

Lang TA. When a picture needs 1,000 words. CHEST. 2009;135:1688-91. Invited article.

Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. [Lang T, contributor]. The PRISMA statement for reporting
systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate healthcare interventions: explanation and
elaboration. BMJ. 2009 Jul 21;339:b2700. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b2700.

Lang TA. What do you think constitutes authorship? AMWA J. 2008;23(2):65-7.

Lang TA. The need for accurate statistical reporting: invited commentary. Adv Physiol Ed. 2007 Dec;31(4):299;
Discussion 306-7.

Lang TA. Documenting research in scientific articles: guidelines for authors. 3. Reporting multivariate
analyses. CHEST. 2007;130:628-32. Invited article.

Lang TA. Documenting research in scientific articles: guidelines for authors. 2. Reporting hypothesis tests.
CHEST. 2007;130:317-9. Invited article.

Lang TA. Documenting research in scientific articles: guidelines for authors. 1. Reporting research designs
and activities. CHEST. 2006;130:1263-68. Invited article.

Lang T. Getting Published. The DO 2006;47:28-36. [A publication of the American Osteopathic Association]

Lang TA. How to write an article for publication in a western scientific journal: advice for Asian authors
from an American medical writer. Chinese J Evidence-Based Med. 2005;5:404-7.

Lang TA. Tips for using commas. Cancer On-Line: http://www.lifescience.co.jp/~itoh/ccoimage [Japanese
website], 2005.

Lang TA. Tips for writing English sentences. Cancer On-Line: http://www.lifescience.co.jp/~itoh/ccoimage
[Japanese website], 2005.

Lang TA. Tips for writing English paragraphs. Cancer On-Line: http://www.lifescience.co.jp/~itoh/ccoimage
[Japanese website], 2005.

Lang TA. Sources of ambiguity in English writing. Cancer On-Line: http://www.lifescience.co.jp/~itoh/ccoimage
[Japanese website], 2005.

Lang TA. Striking out with readability formulas. AMWA J. 2004;19:95-6. Invited article.

Lang TA. Systematic reviews as research assignments for training physicians. Acad Med. 2004;79:1067-72.

Lang TA. Twenty statistical errors even YOU can find in biomedical research articles. Croatian Med J.
2004;45:361-70.

Lang TA, Hodge P, Olson V, Romano P, Kravitz R. Nurse-patient ratios and patient, nurse employee, and
hospital outcomes: a systematic review. JONA. 2004;34:326-37.

Lang TA. Guidelines for reporting statistics in biomedical research. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol.
www.medizin.uni-koeln.de/kliniken/augenklinik/graefe.html [German website] 2003.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 7: Common errors in conclusions. AMWA J.
2006;21:17-8. Invited article.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 6: errors in research designs. AMWA J.
2005;20:112-5. Invited article.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 5: errors in reports of diagnostic tests. AMWA J.
2005;20:50-1. Invited article

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 4: errors in correlation and regression analysis.
AMWA J. 2005;20:10-1. Invited article

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 3: errors in data displays. AMWA J. 2004;19:9-
11. Invited article.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 2: errors in multivariate analysis and in
interpreting differences between groups. AMWA J. 2003;18:103-7. Invited article. Reprinted in The ATA
(American Translators Association) Journal 2005;34:43-7.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 1: errors in descriptive statistics and in
interpreting probability values. AMWA J. 2003;18: 67-71. Invited article.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 2. The ATA (American Translators Association)
Journal 2005;43-7. Reprinted.

Lang TA. Common statistical errors even YOU can find, Part 1. The ATA (American Translators Association)
Journal 2004;34-8. Reprinted.

Lang TA. Quality assurance for pharmaceutical documents. Jpn Pharmacol Ther. 2002;30:837-43.

Lang TA. Editing and proofreading pharmaceutical writing. Jpn Pharmacol Ther. 2002;30:845-9.

Lang TA. How to stay out of bars (why dot charts are better than bar charts). AMWA J. 2002;17(3):27-9.

Lang TA. Collaborative review of editing and writing (CREW): a method for training medical writers and
editors. AMWA J. 2002;17(1):23-4.

Lang TA. Mentor-guided analytical thinking (MAT): a method for training medical writers and editors.
AMWA J 2002;17(1):26-7.

Altman DG, Schulz KF, Moher D, Egger M, Davidoff F, Elbourne D, Gøtzsche PC, Lang TA, for the CONSORT
Group. The revised CONSORT statement for reporting randomized trials: explanation and elaboration. Ann
Intern Med. 2001;134:663-94.

Altman DG, Schulz KF, Moher D, Egger M, Davidoff F, Elbourne D, Gøtzsche PC, Lang TA, for the CONSORT
Group. The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of parallel-group randomized trials. Ann Intern Med. 2001;134:657-62.

Moher D, Schulz KF, Altman DG. [Lang T, contributor]. The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations
for improving the quality of reports of parallel group randomized trials. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2001;1: 2.
Published online 2001 Apr 20. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-1-2.

Moher D, Schulz KF, Altman DG, for the CONSORT Group. [Lang TA, contributor]. The CONSORT
statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of parallel-group randomized trials. Lancet
2001;357:1191-4.

Moher D, Schulz KF, Altman DG, for the CONSORT Group. [Lang TA, contributor]. The CONSORT
Statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel-group randomized
trials. JAMA. 2001;285(15):1987-91.

Lau J, Ioannidis JP, Balk E, Milch C, Chew P, Terrin N, Lang TA, Salem D, Wong JB. Evaluation of technologies
for identifying acute cardiac ischemia in emergency departments. Evid Rep Technol Assess. 2000;26:1-4.

Lang TA. Masking or blinding? An unscientific survey of mostly medical journal editors on the great debate.
(A Not Brief Enough Report). MedGenMed. March 13, 2000;2(1):E25PMID:11104471. Invited article.

Lang TA. Medical writing: where it’s been, where it’s going. AMWA J. 2000;15:9-12.

Stroup DF, Berlin JA, Morton SC, Olkin I, Williamson GD, Rennie D, Moher D, Becker BJ, Sipe TA, Thacker
SB. Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: a proposal for reporting. Meta-analysis Of
Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) group. JAMA. 2000 Apr 19;283(15):2008-12.

Lau J, Zucker D, Engels EA, Balk E, Barza M, Terrin N, Devine D, Chew P, Lang T, Liu D. Diagnosis and
Treatment of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Summ). 1999 Mar;(9):1-5.

Lang TA. A curriculum for biomedical writing and editing. CBE Views. 1999;22(1):3-5.

Lang TA, for the Long-Range Planning Committee. Summary of the final report of the long-range planning
committee. AMWA J. 1997;12(1):22-9.

Lang TA. CONSORTing with a QUOROM of MOOSES: what it takes to report medical research. AMWA J.
1997;12(3):2-5.

Lang TA. Assessing the productivity and value of a hospital-based medical editing service. AMWA J.
1997;12(1):6-14.

Fackler ML, Huth EJ, Pitkin RM, Rennie D, Begg C, Greenland S, Olkin I, Stroup DF, Deen DF, Lau J, Derish P,
Eastwood S, Lang T, Nichols K. Checklist of information for inclusion in reports of clinical trials. The
Asilomar Working Group on Recommendations for Reporting of Clinical Trials in the Biomedical Literature.
Ann Intern Med. 1996 Apr 15;124(8):741-3.

Fackler ML, Huth EJ, Pitkin RM, Rennie D, Begg C, Greenland S, Olkin I, Stroup DF, Deen DF, Lau J, Derish P,
Eastwood S, Lang T, Nichols K. Call for comments on a proposal to improve reporting of clinical-trials in the
biomedical literature. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121(11):894-5.

Lang TA. Physical and processing characteristics of manuscripts submitted for author's editing. CBE Views.
1996;19(5):111-5.

Lang TA. Why medical writers should learn about statistics: the n's do justify the means. AMWA J.
1994;9(2):45-50.

Lang TA. Medical journals: an overview of the industry. AMWA J. 1989;4(2):26-32.

Lang TA. The effects of word processing on the writing process. AMWA J. 1989;4(4):14-7.

Lang TA. The technology of writing: a brief history of the alphabet. AMWA J. 1988;3(4):8-12.

Lang TA. A technical writing laboratory: the puzzle exercise. Tech Writing Teach. 1988;25(2):132-7.

Lang TA. Technical writing is not one of the humanities. AMWA J. 1987;2(5):3-8.

Lang TA. Conveying movement in print: how to present martial arts techniques in photographs and text. J
Asian Martial Arts. 2008;17:38-53.

Lang TA. Katsu: traditional Japanese resuscitation techniques. Ann Emerg Med. 1984;1:40-4.
 
Publications: Letters and Reviews

Lang T. Why scientific writers should study writing scientifically: the value of research into written
communication. European Science Editing. February 2017;43(1):12-3. Response to Venables J. Five golden rules for writing a good scientific paper. https:// www.linkedin.com/pulse/ve-golden-rules-writing-good-scientific-paperjulian-
venables. Accessed 1 November, 2016.

Lang TA. Response to “Valuing medical writing: some missed misperceptions that matter.” AMWA J.
2016;31(4):191-2.

Lang TA. Response to “Professional medical writing support and the quality of randomised controlled trial
reporting: a cross-sectional study.” BMJ Open. 2016;6:2 e010329 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010329

Lang TA. Response to “Readability and text cohesion of online colorectal cancer and screening information.”
AMWA J. 2014;29:48.

Lang TA. Response to “The need to question terminal digits in scientific research.” AMWA J. 2013;28(3):141-2.

Lang TA. Response to “The need for certfi-CAUTION.” AMWA J. 2013;28(1):46.

Lang TA. Response to “Writing for readers with a wide range of reading skills.” AMWA J. 2011;26(2):149.

Lang TA. Response to “Use of the passive voice in medical journal articles.” AMWA J. 2011;26(1):46.

Lang TA. Book Review. Katz MH. Study Design and Statistical Analysis: A Practical Guide for Clinicians.
AMWA J. 2009;24(2):88-9.
 

Publications: Books, Chapters, and Monographs

Matarese V. Editing Research: The Author Editing Approach to Providing Effective Support to Writers of
Research Papers. Forward by Tom Lang. Medford, New Jersey: Information Today, Inc., 2016.

Lang T, Altman D. Statistical analyses and methods in the published literature: The SAMPL Guidelines.
Moher D, Altman D, Schulz K, Simera I, Wager L, editors. Guidelines for Reporting Health Research: A Users’
Manual. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 2014.

Lang T (author/editor/reviewer). Chapter 12: Numbers Units, Mathematical Expressions, and Statistics. In: Buscher L, editor. Scientific Style and Format. The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers 8th Edition.
Chicago: University of Chicago press, 2014:157-91.

Lang T (author/editor/reviewer). Chapter 30: Accessories to Text: Tables, Figures, and Indexes. In: Buscher L, editor. Scientific Style and Format. The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers 8th Edition. Chicago: University of Chicago press, 2014:157-91.

Lang T, Talerico C, Siontis GCM. Documenting clinical and laboratory images in publications: The CLIP
Principles. In: Moher D, Altman D, Schulz K, Simera I, Wager L, editors. Guidelines for Reporting Health
Research: A Users’ Manual. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In Press. Reprinted from Lang T, Talerico C,
Siontis GCM. CHEST. 2012;141(6):1626-32.

Lang T. Statistics in a nutshell [A short explanation and glossary for translators]. In: Seaman L editor. JAT Pharma
Handbook. Japan Association of Translators, 2011.
Lang T. Systematic reviews. In: The Research Guide. A Primer for Residents, Other Health Care Trainees, and
Practitioners. Harvey B, Lang E, Frank JR, eds. Ontario, Canada: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada, 2011.
Lang T. Worth Remembering: Take-Home Points from the Targeted and Tailored Messages for Dealing with Depression (T2/D2) Conference. April 8, 2010, Sacramento, California. 25-page synopsis of this conference.
Lang T. How to Write, Publish, and Present in the Health Sciences: A Guide for Clinicians and Laboratory Researchers. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians, 2010.  Japanese translation 2011.Selected by the Society of Technical Communication as one of the top 100 Technical Communications Books of 1991-2012.
Lang T, Secic M. How to Report Statistics in Medicine: Annotated Guidelines for Authors, Editors, and Reviewers.  Philadelphia: American College of Physicians, 1997. Reprinted in English for distribution within China, 1998. Chinese translation, 2001. Second edition, 2006. Japanese translation, 2011; Russian translation, 2013. Cited in “Statistical Guidance on Reporting Results from Studies Evaluating Diagnostic Tests,” US Food and Drug Administration, 2007.
Lang T. Common statistical errors in scientific articles.  In: European Association of Science Editors.  Science Editors’ Handbook. Surrey, England: European Association of Science Editors, 2003;2-3.1, 1-4.
Lang T. Rinsho kenkyu ni okeru toukei houkoku no shikata [How to report statistics in clinical research].  In: Harrison B, Barron JP, Kobayashi H, Harrison E, editors.  Igaku eigo komyunikeshon 2: Ronbun no kakikata – ouyouhen [Medical English Communication, volume 2. How to Write a Research Paper (Applied Skills)]. Tokyo: Asakura Shoten, 2003;281-92.
Lang T. Statistics for medical writers and editors.  In: American Medical Writers Association.  Selected Workshops in Biomedical Communication, vol 3.   Bethesda, MD: American Medical Writers Association, 2001.
Goodkin DE, Lang T. Standardized reporting of randomized controlled multiple sclerosis clinical trials.   In: Rudick R, Goodkin DE, editors.  Multiple Sclerosis: Experimental and Applied Therapeutics.  London: Martin Dunitz Publishers, 1999.
Lang T, Talerico C. Improving comprehension: theories and research findings.  In: American Medical Writers Association.  Selected Workshops in Biomedical Communication, vol, 2.  Bethesda, MD: American Medical Writers Association, 1997.
Lang T. Preparing Patient Education Handouts.  In: American Medical Writers Association.  Selected Workshops in Biomedical Communication.   Bethesda, MD: American Medical Writers Association, 1994.
Reed R, Lang T. Health Behaviors.  St. Paul: West Publishing Co., First Edition, 1982; Second Edition, 1987.  A college text on personal health; 600 pages and an instructor's manual.
Lang T. An Overview of Proposal Development: A Guide for the Faculty at California State University, Chico.  The Graduate School, CSU Chico, 1989.

 

Other Interviews, Publications, and Presentations

One of four panelists on a 4-part pod cast on open peer review sponsored by J&J Editorial. September, 2017
Interviewed for an article on the risks and benefits of clinical trials in the Indian journal, Clinical Quest: Spotlight on Drug Development 2004;1:13-20.
Interviewed by the journal, Nature, for an article on statistical errors in the scientific literature. May 26, 2004.
Interviewed for an article in the Japanese journal, Medical Writing for the Department, Meet the Author: How to Report Statistics in Medicine. Medical Writing 2001;9:17-21.
Interviewed for an article about the University of Chicago’s Medical Writing and Editing Certificate Program.  Chicago Magazine 2001; Aug: 68-70.
Interviewed for an article on statistical reporting titled: Vital Statistics, by Linda Wasmer Smith. Reaction Times 1995; Nov: 9-14. 
Interviewed for an article titled: Can Your Patients Read What You Give Them?  Patient Education Newsletter 1994;1(1):1-2,7.  Atlanta: Pritchertt & Hull Associates, Inc. 
Interviewed for an article titled: Write Within the Writers Context.  Writing Concepts: The Business Communications Report 1995; 6(5):3-4.  Springfield, VA: Writing Concepts, Inc.
Lang T, editor. Masters Theses, Papers, & Projects: Guide to Style and Format. The Graduate School, CSU Chico, 1980.
Lang T. The Rural Clinical Nurse Placement Project: A Report to the Legislature and The Rural Clinical Nursing Option: An Implementation Manual.  Rural Clinical Nurse Placement Project, CSU Chico, 1980.
Lang T, editor. The Final Report of the Rural Drug Needs Assessment Project and The Executive Summary of the Final Report of the Rural Drug Needs Assessment Project. Human Services Center, CSU Chico, 1979.
Lang T. Experimentally induced conformity.  Paper presented to the Western Psychological Association Conference for Undergraduate Research, Santa Clara, CA, May 1973.