Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts in biostatistics and epidemiology.

Biostatistics

The application of statistics in health-related fields, focusing on medical and biological problems.

Epidemiology

The study of health and illness in human populations, investigating patterns of disease and the factors influencing them.

Population

The target group or all members of a specified group being studied.

Sample

A subset of the population selected to represent the whole group.

Parameter

A measurement of a population characteristic.

Variable

Characteristics that take on different values, typically collected in research.

Descriptive Statistics

Methods that organize, summarize, and present data.

Inferential Statistics

Methods that draw conclusions about a population based on sample data.

Point Estimate

An exact value that estimates a population parameter.

Interval Estimate

A range of values that estimates a population parameter.

Sampling Error

The difference between values obtained from a sample and the true values of the population.

Margin of Error

The range of values within which the true value is expected to fall, based on probability.

Probability Sampling

A method where every element has a chance of being included in the sample.

Non-Probability Sampling

A method where the sample is selected in a non-systematic way without assurance of representativeness.

Simple Random Sampling

A sampling method where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Stratified Random Sampling

A sampling method where the population is divided into subgroups, and samples are drawn from each.

Systematic Sampling

A sampling method where every nth individual is selected from the population.

Cluster Sampling

A sampling method where entire subgroups are randomly selected instead of individuals.

Accidental Sampling

A non-probability method where samples are chosen based on convenience.

Voluntary Response Sampling

A non-probability method where participants self-select to be part of the sample.

Purposive Sampling

A non-probability method where participants are selected based on judgment related to their expertise.

Snowball Sampling

A non-probability method used to access hard-to-reach populations, where initial participants recruit more.