Nature of Biostatistics Flashcards
science dealing with collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of numerical data.
statistics
art of summarazing data so that non-statistician can understand it.
statistics
special branch of stats which deals with quantitative and qualitative aspects of vital phenomena.
biostatistics
data required in planning, administration, and evolution of health programs
health statistics
N
all members of specified group
population
n
subset of population
sample
measure of characteristics of population
parameter
value of characteristics that remains the same from person to person, from time to time or place to place
constant
characteristics take on different values
variable
methods of summarizing and presenting data
descriptive statistics
computation of measures of central tendency and variability
descriptive statistics
tabulation and graphical presentation
descriptive statistics
methods of arriving at conclusions and generalizations about a target population based on information from a sample
inferential statistics
estimation of parameters and hypothesis testing
inferential statistics
type of data
according to source
- primary data
- secondary data
categories of data
types of variables
- qualitative
- quantitative
descriptions/labels to distinguish one group from another
qualitative
can be measured and ordered according to quantity or amount and expressed numerically.
quantitative
types of quantitative data
- discrete
- continuous
can assume a finite or countable number of values
discrete
can assume an infinity or other possible values
continuous
scale of measurement of variables
- nominal
- ordinal
- interval
- ratio
- used for names or identifiers of category
- always qualitative
- does not represent any amount
nominal
- represents an ordered series of relationships
- may be qualitative of quantitative
ordinal
- does not have true-zero value starting point
- always quantitative
interval
- modified interval level which includes zero as a starting point
- quantitative
ratio
systematic procedure to ensure that the information/data gathered are complete, consistent and suitable for analysis
data processing
data processing
- coding
- encoding
- editing
conversion of verbal/written information into numbers which can be more easily encoded, counted, tabulated
data coding
types of codes
- field
- bracket
- factual
- pattern
actual value or info given by respondent
field code
recorded as range of values rather than actual values
bracket values
codes assigned to a list of categories of given variable
factual code
applicable for questions with multiple responses
pattern code
minimum information that must be included in coding manual:
- variable name
- variable description
- coding instructions
document contain a record of all codes assigned to the responsed to all questions in data collection forms
coding manual
Entering the data/responses in a
spreadsheet.
data encoding
- Inspection and correction of any errors or
inconsistencies in the information collected. - During data collection, encoding, before data
analysis
data editing
types of editing
field
central
Reviewing the accomplished data
collection forms decoding of abbreviations or special
symbols making callbacks/messages for
verification/clarification of incomplete answers.
field editing
- Make corrections as early as possible.
- Reduce non-response or incomplete answers.
- Eliminate inconsistencies, incorrect info.
- Make the entries clear, legible and
- Comprehensive.
- Prepare data for analysis.
importance of data editing
- Check for duplicate entries.
- Check the totals of each variable if the same as
with the sample size. - For qualitative data, check if categories are
consistent with what is specified in the coding
manual. - For quantitative data, check the minimum and
maximum if they are logical given the possible
values of variable.
what to check when editing data
