29‐34 Biostatistics Flashcards
What is a population?
All individuals • Not to be confused with the “study population”, which is simply the final group of individuals selected for a study
What is a sample?
A subset or portion of the full population (“representatives”) • Useful when studying the complete population is not feasible • Random processes commonly utilized to draw sample
What are statistical analyses?
Comparisons made in relation to Null Hypothesis
What inferences will be made about the results?
o Inferences will be made about the sample‐derived measurements and their comparisons (in relation to Null Hypothesis) Inferences will also be made to the full population of similar subjects (generalizability)
On what variables will data be collected?
Dependent variable(s) [outcome variables] Independent variables
What is a null hypothesis?
A research perspective which states there will be no (true) difference between the groups being compared Most conservative and commonly utilized
What are the various statistical‐perspectives can be taken by the researcher?
• Superiority • Noninferiority • Equivalency
What is an alternate hypothesis?
A research perspective which states there will be a (true) difference between the groups being compared
What are 2 key attributes of data measurement?
- Magnitude (or Dimensionality) 2. Consistency of scale (or Fixed Interval) Equal, measurable spacing between units
What is another attribute of data measurement?
- Rational/Absolute Zero Each attribute can be assessed with a “Yes” or “No” response
What are the 3 categories for data (variables) measurement that ultimately determine the statistical test?
Nominal, Ordinal, Interval/Ratio
Define nominal
o Dichotomous/Binary; Non‐Ranked Named Categories
o No Magnitude / No Consistency of scale / No Rational Zero
o Nominal variables are simply labeled variables without quantitative characteristics
True or false, ALL data that is categorized into two categories is instantly nominal.
True
Define ordinal
Ranked Categories; Non‐Equal‐Distance
o Yes Magnitude / No Consistency of scale / No Rational Zero
Define interval/ratio
Order; Magnitude; Equal Intervals‐of‐scale (units)
o Yes Magnitude / Yes Consistency of scale / No or Yes Rational Zero (No‐Interval; Yes‐Ratio)
o Number of Living Siblings & Personal Age (in years)
True or false, after data is collected, we can appropriately go down in specificity/detail of data measurement (levels), but never up.
True
Is the ratio level absolute zero?
yes
In interval data measurement, what is meaningful?
distance
In what level can attributes be ordered?
ordinal
Which data measurement level is the weakest?
nominal
Which level are the attributes only named?
nominal
Which levels are discrete?
nominal and ordinal
Which levels are continuous?
interval
True or false, all statistical tests are selected based on level of data being compared.
true
What are the measures of central tendency & dispersion?
Mode / Median / Mean Outliers Minimum / Maximum / Range Interquartile Range (IQR)
Define variance
difference in each individual measurement value and the groups’ mean
What is standard deviation?
square root of variance value (restores units of mean)
What does the graphical representation depict?
SHAPE of data
What is normal distribution?
Symmetrical When a dataset is normally‐distributed the following values (PARAMETERS) are equal/near equal: • Mean / Median / Mode Equal dispersion of curve “tails” to both sides of mean, median, & mode
What are stats tests useful for normally‐distributed data called?
Parametric tests
What is a positively skewed distribution?
Asymmetrical distribution with one “tail” longer than another A distribution is skewed anytime the median differs from the mean • When mean is higher than median, “positive skew”. • Tail pointing to the right positive skew (skew to right): mean > median
What is a negatively skewed distribution?
Asymmetrical distribution with one “tail” longer than another A distribution is skewed anytime the median differs from the mean • When mean is lower than median, “negative skew”. • Tail pointing to the left positive skew (skew to right): mean
Define skewness
A measure of the asymmetry of a distribution o The perfectly‐normal distribution is symmetric and has a skewness value of 0
What is kurtosis?
A measure of the extent to which observations cluster around the mean. For a normal distribution, the value of the kurtosis statistic is 0. Positive kurtosis – more cluster Negative kurtosis ‐ less cluster
How do you handle interval data not normally‐distributed?
o Use a statistical test that does not require the data to be normally‐distributed (non‐parametric tests), or o Transform data to a standardized value (z‐score or log) hoping transformation allows data to be normally‐distributed
What are the three required assumptions of interval data?
- Normally‐distributed 2. Equal variances Multiple tests available to assess for equal variances between groups 3. Randomly‐derived & Independent