title: [Biostatistics contribution to the development of biomedical sciences].
abstract: Biostatistics can be defined as the science of data reduction methods, variability and populations, in the field of medicine and biomedical science. Its origins trace back to the work of Quetelet (1796-1874) and more recently of Fisher (1890-1962). Following the technological advances in biomedical sciences during the 20th century, modern biostatistics is facing the formidable challenge of translating information into knowledge. Biostatistics has significantly contributed to the development of biomedical sciences in many areas: laboratory medicine (reference values and quality control), randomized clinical trials (RCT), clinical decision-making, new drugs development. The explosion of scientific research over the past decades, however, has led to misuse and abuse of statistical methods. Common sense should therefore always prevail. In sum, biostatistics, an amalgalm of mathematics, logic and judgment, has given the quantitative and factual dimension that the evolution of biomedical sciences required.
authors.affiliation: U. Lg.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000379:methods; D001699:Biometry