Making Research Make Sense: Clinical vs. Statistical Significance with Dr. Kathryn Wouk

In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Kathryn Wouk, IBCLC and associate research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Dr. Wouk dives into the heart of her recent Journal of Human Lactation article, “Clinical Versus Statistical Significance: Making Sense of Research Findings,” helping lactation professionals develop research literacy and critically evaluate evidence-based practice.

Through clear, real-world examples, Dr. Wouk breaks down complex research concepts like p-values, confidence intervals, odds ratios, and effect sizes. She makes the case for why clinical significance often matters more than statistical significance—and how to spot the difference. This episode is an essential listen for any IBCLC or student looking to build confidence in reading, interpreting, and applying research in a meaningful, actionable way.

Wouk, K., Chatwin, E., & Kenny, K. (2024). Clinical versus statistical significance: Making sense of research findings. Journal of Human Lactation. https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344241299741

Understanding Significance in Lactation Research

Dr. Wouk explains:

• The definition and limitations of statistical significance (p < .05 does not always mean something is meaningful).
• How clinical significance speaks to real-world impact for parents and providers.
• Why a 1.2-day increase in breastfeeding duration might be statistically significant but not clinically relevant.

What Are Confidence Intervals and Why Do They Matter?

They explore:

• Why confidence intervals provide richer insight than p-values alone.
• How to interpret effect size and the precision of research findings.
• How to use confidence intervals to assess whether a study’s findings are applicable to your population.

Making Sense of Odds Ratios and Study Design

Dr. Wouk discusses:

• What an odds ratio is and how to understand it in plain language.
• How effect sizes can be distorted by sample size—and why larger samples can detect irrelevant findings.
• Why the study design should match the research question and how to assess strengths and weaknesses in different methods.

Building Research Literacy as a Lactation Professional

They highlight:

• Why the ability to critically read research is a core IBCLC competency.
• Strategies to build this skill even without a statistical background.
• The value of mixed methods research and how qualitative insights enrich our understanding of clinical significance.

Advocacy and the Future of Lactation Research

Dr. Wouk emphasizes:

• The threat to national data collection efforts (e.g., PRAMS, NIS) and the need for IBCLC advocacy.
• How underfunding and policy changes can stall progress in maternal-child health.
• The role IBCLCs can play in contributing case studies, literature reviews, and practice insights to The Journal of Human Lactation.

Getting Started: Research Tools and Tips

They recommend:

• Starting with podcasts like Behind the Latch and Casual Inference.
• Using AI tools (with caution and good prompts!) to understand research papers.
• Reviewing population characteristics (“Table 1”) to assess generalizability to your clinical setting.

Guest Info:

Dr. Kathryn Wouk is an IBCLC, maternal and child health researcher, and associate research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation. She also serves as adjunct assistant professor at UNC Chapel Hill and associate editor at the Journal of Human Lactation.

📧 Email: [Available upon request]

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🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty

🎧 Guest: Dr. Kathryn Wouk, IBCLC

🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, “My Time Traveling Machine”

Hashtags & Keywords:

#BehindTheLatch #LactationResearch #IBCLC #BreastfeedingSupport #ResearchLiteracy #StatisticalSignificance #ClinicalSignificance #QualitativeResearch #ConfidenceIntervals #LactationAdvocacy #JHL #MixedMethods

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