Exam 1 Flashcards
The entire collection of objects about which information is desired.
Population
A subset of the population; objects from which we actually obtain information or data.
Sample
A list of some or all of the population members from which the sample is drawn; our “practical” population
Sampling frame
A number that describes a characteristic of the population; its value is generally unknown.
Parameter
A number that describes a characteristic of the sample; its value can be calculated from the sample data.
Statistic
An examination of data from past or current information.
Retrospective study
Individuals are followed over a period of time
Prospective study
Standard of care group
Control
Group that receives intervention
Treatment
Individuals are assigned to groups by the use of chance (e.g. two groups: flip a coin) in order to eliminate bias.
Randomization
Cause-and-effect relationships can only be determined with a _________
Randomized experiment
If the treatment cannot be imposed, for practical or ethical reasons, the study is considered to be an ______
Observational study
a characteristic of an individual (not group) in the population or sample
Variable
A variable that defines an attribute or quality.
Categorical variable
Tells how much or how many (must be a number)
Numeric variable
Whole number data that is “counted”
Discrete
Data that is “measured,” and can be infinitely precise, at least theoretically
Continuous
Classifies data into mutually exclusive, exhausting categories which have no logical order.
Nominal
Classifies data into categories that can be ranked; however, precise differences between the ranks do not exist
Ordinal
Arithmetic differences between values are meaningful, but there is no true (or absolute) zero.
Interval
