Fundamentals of Biostatistics

Kenenisa Tadesse

JU

August 9, 2022

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 1 / 28

Outline

1 Introduction

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 2 / 28

Biostatistics

is the segment of statistics that deals with data arising from biological
processes or medical experiments.
Thus, Biostatistics is the application of statistical techniques in a health
related area (application of statistical methods on biological, medical and
public health data).

Statistics
is the science of collecting, organizing, presenting, analyzing and
interpreting numerical data for the purpose of assisting in making a more
effective decision.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 3 / 28

Classification of Statistics
Descriptive Statistics
Statistical method that deals with organizing or summarizing a given
set of data in to a meaningful form.
Most of the statistical information in newspapers, magazines, reports
and other publications come from data that has been summarized and
presented in a form that is easy for the reader to understand.
Here there is no generalization or conclusion about the population.
It consists of collection, organization and presentation of data.
Descriptive statistics doesn’t go beyond describing the data
themselves
Example From sample we have 40% patients suggest positive attitude
toward the service of the hospital.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 4 / 28

Inferential Statistics

Definition
Is the process of drawing conclusion (inference) about a population
based on the information obtained from the sample.
It is important because statistical data usually arises from sample.
Statistical techniques based on probability theory are required.
For example, As a result of recent reduction in drug production by
manufacturers, we can expect the cost of medication to double up in
the next year.(It is an inference from sample survey).

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 5 / 28

Stages in Statistical Investigations

They are five stages:

1 Collection of Data
2 Organization of Data
3 Presentation of Data
4 Analysis of Data
5 Inference of Data

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 6 / 28

Collection of data

Definition
the process of measuring, gathering, assembling the raw data up on which
the statistical investigation is to be based.

Q Data can be collected in a variety of ways; one of the most common

methods is through the use of survey.
Q Survey can also be done in different methods, three of the most
common methods are:
Telephone survey
Mailed questionnaire
Personal interview.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 7 / 28

Organization of Data

Is the process of editing, classification and tabulation of data.

Editing: is the process of checking and connecting data for
omission, inconsistencies, irrelevant answer and wrong
computation in the collected data.
Classification: is the task of grouping the collected and edited data
into different similar categories based on some criteria
Tabulation: is to put classified data in the form of table.
Arranging or classification of data in the suitable order makes the
information easier for presentation.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 8 / 28

Presentation of data

The organized data can now be presented in the form of tables and
diagram.
At this stage, large data will be presented in tables in a very
summarized and condensed manner.
The main purpose of data presentation is to facilitate statistical
analysis.
Graphs and diagrams may also be used to give the data a vivid
meaning and make the presentation attractive.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 9 / 28

Analysis of data

This is the stage where we critically study the data to draw

conclusions about the population parameter.
The purpose of data analysis is to dig out information useful for
decision making.
Analysis usually involves highly complex and sophisticated
mathematical techniques.
However, in this material only the most commonly used methods of
statistical analysis are included. Such as the calculations of averages,
the computation of measures of dispersion, regression and correlation
analysis are covered.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 10 / 28

Inference of Data

This is the stage where draw valid conclusions from the results
obtained through data analysis. Interpretation means drawing
conclusions from the data which form the basis for decision making.
The interpretation of data is a difficult task and necessitates a high
degree of skill and experience.
If data that have been analyzed are not properly interpreted, the
whole purpose of the investigation may be defected and fallacious
conclusion be drawn. So that great care is needed when making
interpretation.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 11 / 28

Basic Terms

Population Is the totality of causes (items) under consideration in a

given investigation or research.
Example the total number of patients in JUSH
Sample Is a sub group or part of the population selected by some
methods (sampling techniques) in order to estimate the
characteristics of the population parameter.
Example 250 physician of JUSH out of 2000 total physicians in 2018.
Sampling The process or method of sample selection from the
population.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 12 / 28

Sampling unit:

Definition
the ultimate unit to be sampled or elements of the population to be
sampled.

Example
If some body studies Scio-economic status of the households, households
are the sampling unit.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 13 / 28

Cont...

Sample size The number of elements or observation to be included in the

sample.
Census Complete enumeration or observation of the elements of the
population.
Q It is the collection of data from every element in a
population.
Parameter Is an estimated population value (any population constant)
Q It is numerical result obtained as measuring the population,
Q Characteristic or measure obtained from a population.
Example Population means, Population proportion, Population ratio,
etc. . .

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 14 / 28

Cont...

Statistic Is an estimated sample value (Characteristic or measure

obtained from a sample).
Variable It is an item of interest that can take on many different
numerical values.
Q It is a characteristic or condition that can change or take on
different values.
Data The value of the variable associated with one element of a
population or sample.
Q This value may be a number, a word, or a symbol.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 15 / 28

Types of Variables

Qualitative Variables

Qualitative variables have values that are intrinsically nonnumeric

(categorical).
No tool used to measure it.
Example Cause of death, nationality, race, gender, severity of pain
(mild,moderate,severe)
Qualitative variables generally have either nominal or ordinal scales.
Qualitative variables can be reassigned numeric values (e.g.,
Male=0,Female=1),but they are still intrinsically qualitative.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 16 / 28

Types of Variables

Quantitative Variables

are numerical variables and can be measured. have values expressed as

numbers and the differences between values have numerical meaning.
Quantitative variables have values that are intrinsically numeric.
Example survival time, systolic blood pressure, number of children in a
family, height, age, body mass index, and number of children
in family.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 17 / 28

Types of Quantitative Variables

Discrete variable

Discrete variables have a set of possible values that is either finite or

countably infinite.
Example number of pregnancies, number of missing teeth, and
number of patients per house.
For a discrete variable there are gaps between its possible values.
Discrete values often take integer (whole numbers) values
(eg.,Counts), but some discrete variables can take non-integer values.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 18 / 28

Types of Quantitative Variables

Continuous Variable

A continuous variable has a set of possible values including all values

in an interval of the real line.
Example Body mass index, height.
No gaps between possible values.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 19 / 28

Uses of Statistics

Statistics condenses and summarizes complex data.

Statistics facilitates comparison of data.
Statistics helps in predicting future trends.
Statistics influences the policies of government.
Testing and formulating hypothesis.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 20 / 28

Limitation of Statistics

Deals with only quantitative information.

Deals with only aggregate of facts and not with individual data items.
Statistical data are only approximately and not mathematical correct.
Statistics can be easily misused and therefore should be used by
experts.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 21 / 28

Sources of Data

Primary Data Data measured or collected by the investigator or the user

directly from the source.
Q No statistical opperations have been performed.
Q pure data/source data
Secondary Data Data sourced from somewhere
Q Statistical analyses have already been performed on it
Q Data gathered or compiled from published and unpublished
sources or files.

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 22 / 28

Cont...

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 23 / 28

Types of Measurement Scales

1. Nominal Scale
Categories data into mutually exclusive,where the categories do not
have a logical order.
From the phrase ”name only”
No arithmetic and relational operation can be applied.

Examples
I Sex (Male or Female.)
II Marital status(married, single, widowed, divorced)
III Blood type

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 24 / 28

Cont...

2. Ordinal Scales
Categories data into mutually exclusive, where the categories have a
logical order.
Unknown distance between rankings
Arithmetic operations are not applicable but relational operations are
applicable.

Examples

I Stage of disease
II Severity of pain
III Level of satisfaction

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 25 / 28

Cont...

3. Interval Scales
Values have equality of interval.
The ratio between 2 numbers is not meaningful
There is no absolute zero

Examples

I IQ
II Temperature in ◦ F.
III pH

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 26 / 28

Cont...

4. Ratio Scales
Continuous variable with an absolute zero
Values have equality of intervals
All arithmetic and relational operations are applicable.

Examples

1 Time until death

2 Weight
II Height
III number of inpatients in hospital per day
IV Age

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 27 / 28

 THANK YOU!

Kenenisa Tadesse (JU) Fundamentals of Biostatistics August 9, 2022 28 / 28