Chapter 1. Descriptive Methods for Categorical Data
Published Online: 20 MAY 2003
DOI: 10.1002/0471308889.ch1
Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Book Title
Introductory Biostatistics
Additional Information
How to Cite
Le, C. T. (2003) Descriptive Methods for Categorical Data, in Introductory Biostatistics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002/0471308889.ch1
Publication History
- Published Online: 20 MAY 2003
- Published Print: 21 MAR 2003
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780471418160
Online ISBN: 9780471308881
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- descriptive methods for discrete data;
- proportion;
- rate;
- ratio;
- standardization of rates;
- relative risks;
- odds ratios;
- standardized mortality ration;
- screening tests;
- sensitivity;
- specificity
Summary
Rather than start with methods for summarizing and presenting continuous data, we have decided to adopt a different starting point because our focused areas are in biomedical sciences, and health decisions are frequently based on proportions, ratios, or rates. In this chapter we will see how these concepts appeal to common sense, and learn their meaning and uses. A problem solving section appears at the end of the chapter.