Introduction to Biostatistics Flashcards

1
Q

Define statistics

A

The scientific study of numerical data based on natural phenomena.

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2
Q

With the definition of statistics, biostatics can then said to be?

A

The application of statistical methods to the solution of biological phenomena

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3
Q

What does biostatics help one identify?

A

Patterns of importance in nature and life.

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4
Q

To accepted as scientific evidence what criteria must statistics meet? (2)

A
  1. Be objective
  2. Adhere to general ethical code of scientific methodology
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5
Q

Give one example of a general ethic required in scientific methodology.

A

Reproducibility

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6
Q

What does the term natural phenomena mean?

A

It applies to all events that occur in biotic and abiotic factors outside control of human beings.

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7
Q

Do events evoked by scientists during experiments count as natural phenomena? Yes or No

A

Yes they do.

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8
Q

What is data?

A

collection of facts and figures/information that can be in any form—numerical or non-numerical

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9
Q

What data does statistics generally deal with?

A

variables obtained a collection of individual observations

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10
Q

In statistics, how are observations expressed?

A

Objectively quantified with degree of belief or disbelief expressed as a probability.

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11
Q

In statistics objects/phenomena under study can be classified as populations, samples and individual. Define what population is?

A

Collection of individuals under consideration in a statistical study.

Example 1000 tomatoes

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12
Q

What then is a sample?

A

A collection of individuals selected from a population by specified procedure.

Example, 100 tomatoes from population of 1000 tomatoes

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13
Q

What then is an individual?

A

The smallest sampling unit.

example, 1 tomato

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14
Q

The property measured from the individuals under consideration is the?

A

Variable.

E.g. Weight of tomatoes

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15
Q

In light of individuals under consideration, what is a variable in statistics?

A

A shared property which differs in some measurable way from individual to individual.

E.g. weight

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16
Q

What are the two types of variables?

A
  1. Quantitative
  2. Qualitative
17
Q

What are qualitative variables and give two examples.

A

They are non-numerical values

E.g. name of a restaurant
blood type

18
Q

List the types of numerical/quantitative variables. 4. Think of a table of variables of eg wildlife survey.

A
  1. Continuous - a measurement of sth
  2. Discrete/categorical/nominal - a count of sth
  3. Attributes
  4. Derived
19
Q

How are continuous variables quantified?

A

They are measured i.e. ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units.

20
Q

What is a defining characteristic of continuous variables? Think time, continuous

A

They are infinite/ have no end

21
Q

Give three examples of continuous variables.

A
  1. Time
  2. Length
  3. Weight
22
Q

How are discrete variables quantified?

A

They are counted

23
Q

Discrete values are also known as?

A

Categorical or ordinal or nominal

24
Q

Give an example of a discrete variable

A

Number of red cars or number of students

25
Attribute variables are ranked according to the attributes or characteristics of individual. True or false?
True
26
Define derived variables.
Variables based on relating two or more variables to each other. eg multiplied
27
Give examples of derived variables. 3
1. Rate 2. Ratios 3. Percentages
28
Define accuracy of data.
The closeness of a measured or computed value to the true value, | i.e points on or near bull's eye. well calibrated
29
Define precision
The closeness of repeated measurements to each other i.e is the instrument precise?
30
To keep in line with reproducibility of a procedure data obtained must be both accurate and precise. True or false ?
True
31
The distribution of a continuous variable e.g. weight is of considerable biological interest. True or false
True. It can give information about the population and/or scale of measurement used.
32
Name examples of frequency distribution graphs.
1. Symmetrical bell shaped curve 2. L shaped 3. J shaped 4. Right skewed - tail skewed on right side 5. Left skewed - tail skewed on left side