title: Interval estimation for Cohen's kappa as a measure of agreement.
abstract: Cohen's kappa statistic is a very well known measure of agreement between two raters with respect to a dichotomous outcome. Several expressions for its asymptotic variance have been derived and the normal approximation to its distribution has been used to construct confidence intervals. However, information on the accuracy of these normal-approximation confidence intervals is not comprehensive. Under the common correlation model for dichotomous data, we evaluate 95 per cent lower confidence bounds constructed using four asymptotic variance expressions. Exact computation, rather than simulation is employed. Specific conditions under which the use of asymptotic variance formulae is reasonable are determined.
authors.affiliation: SmithKline Beecham, 1250 South Collegeville Road, P.O. Box 5089, Collegeville, PA, 19426-0989, USA. Nicole_Blackman-1@sbphrd.com
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Blackman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Koval
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D018401:Sample Size; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000175:diagnosis