Biostatistics primer: part I.
Biostatistics is the application of statistics to biologic data. The field of statistics can be broken down into 2 fundamental parts: descriptive and inferential. Descriptive statistics are commonly used to categorize, display, and summarize data. Inferential statistics can be used to make predictions based on a sample obtained from a population or some large body of information. It is these inferences that are used to test specific research hypotheses. This 2-part review will outline important features of descriptive and inferential statistics as they apply to commonly conducted research studies in the biomedical literature. Part 1 in this issue will discuss fundamental topics of statistics and data analysis. Additionally, some of the most commonly used statistical tests found in the biomedical literature will be reviewed in Part 2 in the February 2008 issue.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University, W7555 Myers Building, WHS, 1001 West Tenth Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Brian R
BR
Overholser
Kevin M
KM
Sowinski
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016008:Statistical Distributions; D013223:Statistics as Topic