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Lecture 2

The document provides an overview of biostatistics, focusing on variables and data types. It categorizes variables into quantitative (discrete and continuous) and qualitative, and discusses four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Examples are given for each type of variable and scale to illustrate their application in biostatistics.

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Muhammad Qasim Afridi
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4 views

Lecture 2

The document provides an overview of biostatistics, focusing on variables and data types. It categorizes variables into quantitative (discrete and continuous) and qualitative, and discusses four scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Examples are given for each type of variable and scale to illustrate their application in biostatistics.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Qasim Afridi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

What is
BIOSTATISTICS
Part B
LECTURE 2
Variable and Data 2
► Variable
► Characteristic of an individual population unit
► The value of characteristic may vary among units in
a population e.g.
► Age
► Gender
► Weight
► Data
► The values of observations recorded for variables.
Types of Variables 3

► 1. Quantitative Variable
► A variable is quantitative when a characteristic can
be measured on a numerical scale. May be
classified as
► A. Discrete : A discrete variable does not admit
intermediate values between two specific numbers. It
is represented by whole numbers. For example: The
number of brothers of 5 friends: 2, l, 0, 1, 3.
► B. Continuous: A continuous variable can take values
between two numbers. For example: The height of 5
friends measured in meters :1.73, 1.82, 1.77, 1.69,
1.75.
Cont.. 4

► 2. Qualitative Variable (Attribute)

► If the characteristics cannot be measured on a


numerical scale.

► Can only be classified into a group of categories


(classes)
Examples 5

► Qualitative variables Quantitative variables


Severity of pain (mild, moderate, or Height (in cm)
severe) Age (in Years)
Sex (Male, Female) Weight (in Kg)
Level of Education Duration of disease
Grade(A,B,C or D)
Nationality (Pakistani, Canadian, etc) Number of children
Scales of Measurement 6

► Measurement mean assigning numbers to


observations recorded for variables.
► Scaling is a process of measuring.
► There are 4 scales OF MEASUREMENT.
► Nominal
► Ordinal
► Ratio
► Interval
Cont.. 7

► Nominal Scale:
► Assigns numbers to classify people, objects or events
into mutually exclusive categories or classes.
► Categories cannot be ranked.
► Example:
► Sex 0 = Female Smoker l = Yes
l = Male 2 = No
Cont.. 8
► Ordinal Scale:
► Assigns numbers to mutually exclusive categories that are
ordered/ranked in some meaningful way.
► Examples:
► Socioeconomic Status 1 = Low
2 = Medium
3 = High

► Employee evaluation 1 = Poor


2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Excellent
Cont.. 9

► Interval scale:
► Possess a constant interval size throughout scale
► No true zero
► A popular example of this level of measurement
is temperature in centigrade, where, for example, the
distance between 940C and 960C is the same as the
distance between 1000C and 1020C.
Cont.. 10

► Ratio scale:
► It is an interval scale with the additional
property that its zero position indicates the
absence of the quantity being measured.
► Has a true zero
► For examples
► Weight, height, salary
Nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio 11
scaled?
► Number of patients corning to a clinic per day R
► Smoker ( 1. Yes 2.No) N
► Classification of children in a day care center (infant, toddler, pre school) O
► Height in cm R
► What are causes of night blindness? (1. dietary deficiency; 2. due to some disease 3. due to bad
evils ) N
► Did you have fever during past two weeks? (1. yes 2. no) N
► Literacy status ( 1. Literate 2. Illiterate ) N
► Lung Cancer ( Stage 1, Stage 2 , Stage 3, Stage 4 ) O
12

Thank you

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