Biostats - Lecture 1

categorical data

characteristics or attributes in distinct groups or labels

numerical

quantifiable measurements expressed as numbers

nominal

named categories (ex: gender, race)

ordinal

categories with implied order

discrete

only particular numbers (ex: # of fractures)

continuous

any number (ex: height, weight)

trial

procedure that can be infinitely repeated

sample space

full range of possible outcomes

outcome

possible result for given trial

disjointed events

if two events are disjointed, both events can’t occur at the same time (no overlap)

independent events

the occurrence of one event does not influence occurrence of another event (no influence)

additive rule

when categories are mutually exclusive, proportions of all categories sum to 100%

multiplication rule

calculates the probability of two events, A and B, both occurring using the formula P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B|A); applies to independent probabilistic events