PSM and Biostatistics Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering biostatistics, epidemiology, sterilization, biomedical waste management, demography, and contraception based on lecture notes.

Type I Error ($\alpha$ error)

The statistical error that occurs when a true null hypothesis ($H_0$) is incorrectly rejected, representing a false positive outcome.

Type II Error ($\beta$ error)

The statistical error that occurs when a false null hypothesis ($H_0$) is incorrectly accepted, representing a false negative outcome.

Precision (Reliability)

The consistency and reproducibility of a test result, characterized by the absence of random variation.

Accuracy (Validity)

The closeness of test results to the true value, characterized by the absence of systematic error or bias.

Standard Error of Mean (SE)

A measure of sample variability calculated as $\text{SE} = \frac{\text{SD}}{\sqrt{n}}$, which decreases as the sample size ($n$) increases.

Coefficient of Variation (CV)

A measure used to compare relative variability and reliability between datasets, calculated as $\text{CV} = \left(\frac{\text{SD}}{\text{Mean}}\right) \times 100$.

Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r)

A parametric statistic used on continuous quantitative variables with normal distribution to measure the direction and strength of their linear relationship.

Box and Whisker Plot

A graphical method used to display data distribution, quartiles, outliers, and skewness.

Histogram

A graphical representation for continuous quantitative data featuring adjacent, touching vertical bars with frequency on the Y-axis.

Simple Random Sampling

A probability sampling method best suited for small, homogeneous populations where every unit has an equal chance of selection, using methods like lotteries or random number tables.

Systematic Random Sampling

A probability sampling technique requiring a sampling frame where every $k^{\text{th}}$ individual is selected, given $k = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Desired Sample Size}}$.

Stratified Random Sampling

A sampling method in which a heterogeneous population is divided into homogeneous strata based on specific characteristics prior to taking random samples from each stratum.

Convenience Sampling

A non-probability sampling method where subjects are selected based on easy availability, offering the fastest approach but highest bias.

Paired t-test

A parametric statistical test used to compare means of quantitative data from two related groups or before-and-after measurements in a single group.

Unpaired t-test

A parametric statistical test used to compare quantitative means between two independent groups.

ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)

A parametric statistical test used to compare quantitative data across three or more groups.

Chi-square Test

A non-parametric test used to compare proportions or categorical qualitative variables across groups with a large sample size.

Mann-Whitney U Test

A non-parametric test used as an alternative to the unpaired t-test for comparing two independent groups with non-normal quantitative data.

Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test

A non-parametric statistical test used as an alternative to the paired t-test for non-normal quantitative data.

Hot Air Oven Sterilization

A dry heat sterilization method operating at $160\,^\circ\text{C}$ for $2\,\text{hours}$, utilizing Bacillus subtilis as a biological indicator.

Autoclave Sterilization

A moist heat sterilization process operating at $121\,^\circ\text{C}$ for $15\,\text{minutes}$ at $15\,\text{psi}$, utilizing Bacillus stearothermophilus as a biological indicator.

DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year)

A metric measuring overall disease burden calculated as $\text{DALY} = \text{YLD} + \text{YLL}$ (Years Lived with Disability plus Years of Life Lost).

QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Year)

A measure of disease burden that combines both the quality and quantity of life lived, primarily used to assess the cost-effectiveness of a health intervention.

Sullivan's Index

A health indicator measuring Disability-Free Life Expectancy (DFLE), calculated by subtracting years of disability from overall life expectancy.

Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)

A composite health index evaluated using Infant Mortality Rate, Literacy rate, and Life expectancy at age 1.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A socio-economic indicator evaluating Knowledge (mean and expected years of schooling), Income (real GNI per capita), and Life expectancy at birth.

Demographic Gap

The numerical difference between the Crude Birth Rate ($CBR$) and the Crude Death Rate ($CDR$).

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of economically dependent age groups to the working age group, defined as $\frac{\text{Population } 0\text{--}14 + \text{Population } >65}{\text{Population } 15\text{--}64}$.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

The simplest measure of fertility, defined as the total number of live births per $1000$ mid-year population in a given year.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman bears during her reproductive years ($15\text{--}49$ years), representing complete family size.

Net Reproduction Rate (NRR)

The average number of daughters born to a newborn female who would survive through her childbearing years under current age-specific fertility and mortality rates.

Pearl Index

The gold standard statistical measure used to express the failure rate and effectiveness of a contraceptive method per $100$ woman-years of exposure.

Saheli (Centchroman)

A non-steroidal, non-hormonal once-a-week oral contraceptive pill available in public health facilities as Chhaya.

Grubbs Test

A statistical test specifically used to identify and detect outliers in a dataset.