statistics for the non statician Flashcards
What are outcome measures in health research?
Outcome measures are specific criteria or variables used to assess the effectiveness of an intervention, treatment, or exposure in a clinical study.
What is the difference between primary and secondary outcomes?
The primary outcome is the main variable the study is designed to measure, while secondary outcomes are additional effects or variables of interest that are measured but not the primary focus.
Why is the choice of outcome measures important in clinical research?
The choice of outcome measures determines what is being assessed and can significantly affect the relevance and applicability of the research findings to clinical practice.
What are objective outcome measures?
Objective outcome measures are based on observable and quantifiable data, such as blood pressure readings or lab results, and are less prone to bias.
What are subjective outcome measures?
Subjective outcome measures rely on patients’ personal reports of their symptoms or experiences, such as pain levels or quality of life, and are more prone to variability and bias.
What is reliability in outcome measurement?
Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of an outcome measure—whether the same results are obtained under consistent conditions.
What is validity in the context of outcome measures?
Validity refers to how accurately an outcome measure reflects the specific concept or variable it is intended to measure.
Why is it important to consider the responsiveness of an outcome measure?
Responsiveness refers to an outcome measure’s ability to detect clinically significant changes over time, making it crucial for assessing the effectiveness of interventions.
