TernTables: A Statistical Analysis and Table Generation Web Interface for Clinical and Biomedical Research

Clinical research dissemination is frequently hindered by administrative friction and methodological inconsistency. To address these barriers, we developed TernTables, a freely available, open-source web application ( https://www.tern-tables.com/ ) and R package ( https://cran.r-project.org/package=TernTables ) that streamlines the transition from raw data to formatted results for descriptive and univariate clinical reporting. The system integrates a client-side screening protocol for protected health information (PHI) with a rule-based decision tree that selects and executes appropriate frequency-based, parametric, or non-parametric statistical tests based on data distribution and class. TernTables generates publication-ready summary tables in Microsoft Word format, complemented by dynamically generated methods text and the underlying R code to ensure complete transparency and reproducibility. Validation using a landmark clinical trial dataset demonstrated concordance with established biostatistical approaches for descriptive and univariate analyses. TernTables is designed to supplement, not replace, formal statistical consultation by standardizing routine descriptive and univariate workflows, allowing biostatistical expertise to be focused on complex analyses and study design. By lowering technical and financial barriers, the platform democratizes access to rigorous statistical workflows while maintaining methodological excellence and reducing "researcher degrees of freedom."

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2026-04-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.15.717241
Primary Topic
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

TernTables: A Statistical Analysis and Table Generation Web Interface for Clinical and Biomedical Research

Michael E. Halkos, Joshua L. Chan, Joshua D. Preston, Mani A. Daneshmand et al.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
article

TernTables: A Statistical Analysis and Table Generation Web Interface for Clinical and Biomedical Research

Michael E. Halkos, Joshua L. Chan, Joshua D. Preston, Mani A. Daneshmand, Clayton J. Rust, H. Abadiotakis, Ailin Tang
article en

Abstract

Clinical research dissemination is frequently hindered by administrative friction and methodological inconsistency. To address these barriers, we developed TernTables, a freely available, open-source web application ( https://www.tern-tables.com/ ) and R package ( https://cran.r-project.org/package=TernTables ) that streamlines the transition from raw data to formatted results for descriptive and univariate clinical reporting. The system integrates a client-side screening protocol for protected health information (PHI) with a rule-based decision tree that selects and executes appropriate frequency-based, parametric, or non-parametric statistical tests based on data distribution and class. TernTables generates publication-ready summary tables in Microsoft Word format, complemented by dynamically generated methods text and the underlying R code to ensure complete transparency and reproducibility. Validation using a landmark clinical trial dataset demonstrated concordance with established biostatistical approaches for descriptive and univariate analyses. TernTables is designed to supplement, not replace, formal statistical consultation by standardizing routine descriptive and univariate workflows, allowing biostatistical expertise to be focused on complex analyses and study design. By lowering technical and financial barriers, the platform democratizes access to rigorous statistical workflows while maintaining methodological excellence and reducing "researcher degrees of freedom."

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Emory University (US)
National Institutes of Health
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
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