Lesson 1

Introduction To
Biostatistics

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 Key words :

 Statistics , data , Biostatistics,

 Variable ,Population ,Sample

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 Introduction
Some Basic concepts
Statistics is a field of study concerned with
1- collection, organization, summarization and analysis
of data.

2- drawing of inferences about a body of data when

only a part of the data is observed.

Statisticians try to interpret and

communicate the results to others.
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 * Biostatistics:
When the data analyzed are derived from the biological
science and medicine,

we use the term biostatistics to distinguish this particular

application of statistical tools and concepts.

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 :Data
• The raw material of Statistics is data.

• We may define data as figures. Figures result from

the process of counting or from taking a measurement.

• For example:

• - When a hospital administrator counts the number of

patients (counting).

• - When a nurse weighs a patient (measurement)

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 :Sources of Data *
We search for suitable data to serve as the raw material
for our investigation.
Such data are available from one or more of the following
sources:
1- Routinely kept records.
For example:
- Hospital medical records contain immense amounts of
information on patients.
- Hospital accounting records contain a wealth of data on
the facility’s business
- activities.

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2- External sources.
The data needed to answer a question may
already exist in the form of
published reports, commercially available data
banks, or the research literature, i.e.
someone else has already asked the same
question.

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3- Surveys:
The source may be a survey, if the data needed
is about answering certain questions.
For example:
If the administrator of a clinic wishes to obtain
information regarding the mode of
transportation used by patients to visit the
clinic,
then a survey may be conducted among
patients to obtain this information.
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4- Experiments.
Frequently the data needed to answer
a question are available only as the
result of an experiment.
For example:
If a nurse wishes to know which of several strategies
is best for maximizing patient compliance,
she might conduct an experiment in which the
different strategies of motivating compliance
are tried with different patients.

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A Taxonomy of Statistics
 :Two areas of statistics
Descriptive Statistics: collection, presentation, .1
.and description of sample data

Inferential Statistics: making decisions and .2

.drawing conclusions about populations

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 :Example
A recent study examined the math and verbal SAT scores of high
school seniors across the country. Which of the following
.statements are descriptive in nature and which are inferential
.The mean math SAT score was 492 .1 •
.The mean verbal SAT score was 475 .2 •
Students in the Northeast scored higher in math but lower .3 •
.in verbal •
of all students taking the exam were headed for 80% .4 •
.college •
.of the students scored above 610 on the verbal SAT 32% .5 •
The math SAT scores are higher than they were 10 years .6 •
.ago •
 :A variable *
It is a characteristic that takes on different values in
different persons, places, or things.
For example:
- heart rate,
- the heights of adult males,
- the weights of preschool children,
- the ages of patients seen in a dental clinic.

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 Variable
any characteristic of an individual or entity. A - •
variable can take different values for different
individuals. Variables can be categorical or
.quantitative

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:Two kinds of variables

Qualitative, or Attribute, or Categorical, Variable: A variable that

.categorizes or describes an element of a population
Note: Arithmetic operations, such as addition and averaging, are not
.meaningful for data resulting from a qualitative variable

Quantitative, or Numerical, Variable: A variable that quantifies an

.element of a population
Note: Arithmetic operations such as addition and averaging, are
.meaningful for data resulting from a quantitative variable
 Types of variables

Quantitative
Qualitative

Quantitative Variables Qualitative Variables

It can be Many characteristics are
measured in the not capable of being
usual sense. measured. Some of them
can be ordered or
For example: ranked.
- the heights of
adult males, For example:
- classification of people into
- the weights of socio-economic groups,
preschool - social classes based on
children, income, education, etc.
- the ages of
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patients seen in
Example: Identify each of the following examples as attribute (qualitative) or
.numerical (quantitative) variables
The residence hall for each student in a statistics class. (Attribute) .1
The amount of gasoline pumped by the next 10 customers at the local Unimart. .2
(Numerical)
The amount of radon in the basement of each of 25 homes in a new development. .3
(Numerical)
The color of the baseball cap worn by each of 20 students. (Attribute) .4
The length of time to complete a mathematics homework assignment. (Numerical) .5

The state in which each truck is registered when stopped and inspected at a weigh .6

station. (Attribute)
 Types of quantitative
variables

Discrete
Continuous

A discrete variable A continuous variable

is characterized by gaps or can assume any value within a
interruptions in the values specified relevant interval of
that it can assume. values assumed by the variable.
For example: For example:
- The number of daily - Height,
admissions to a general - weight,
hospital, - skull circumference.
- The number of decayed,
No matter how close together the
missing or filled teeth per observed heights of two people,
child in an elementary we can find another person
school. whose height falls somewhere in
between.
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In many cases, a discrete and continuous variable may be distinguished
by determining whether the variables are related to a count or a
measurement

Discrete variables are usually Continuous variables are usually .2

.associated with counting associated with measurements.
If the variable cannot be further The values of discrete
subdivided, it is a clue that you variables are only limited by
are probably dealing with a .your ability to measure them
.discrete variable

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 Measuring Variables

To establish relationships between variables, •

researchers must observe the variables and
record their observations. This requires that the
.variables be measured

The process of measuring a variable requires a set •

of categories called a scale of measurement and a
process that classifies each individual into one
.category

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 Nominal scale
is an unordered set of categories identified only by - 
name. Nominal measurements only permit you to
determine whether two individuals are the same or
.different

Categorical variables with no inherent order or ranking - 

sequence such as names or classes (e.g., gender). Value
may be a numerical, but without numerical value (e.g., I,
II, III). The only operation that can be applied to
.Nominal variables is enumeration

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 Ordinal scale
is an ordered set of categories. Ordinal - 
measurements tell you the direction of difference
.between two individuals

Variables with an inherent rank or order, e.g. mild, - 

moderate, severe. Can be compared for equality, or
.greater or less, but not how much greater or less

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 Interval scale
.is an ordered series of equal-sized categories - 
Interval measurements identify the direction and magnitude of a 
.difference
.The zero point is located arbitrarily on an interval scale 
Values of the variable are ordered as in Ordinal, and additionally, - 
differences between values are meaningful, however, the scale is not
absolutely anchored. Calendar dates and temperatures on the
Fahrenheit scale are examples. Addition and subtraction, but not
.multiplication and division are meaningful operations 23
 Ratio scale
is an interval scale where a value of zero indicates none of the - 
variable. Ratio measurements identify the direction and
magnitude of differences and allow ratio comparisons of
.measurements
Variables with all properties of Interval plus an absolute, non- - 
arbitrary zero point, e.g. age, weight, temperature (Kelvin).
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are all meaningful
.operations

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Example: Identify each of the following as examples of
:qualitative or numerical variables

The temperature in Barrow, Alaska at 12:00 pm on any .1

.given day
The make of automobile driven by each faculty .2
.member
.Whether or not a 6 volt lantern battery is defective .3
.The weight of a lead pencil .4
.The length of time billed for a long distance telephone call .5
.The brand of cereal children eat for breakfast .6
.The type of book taken out of the library by an adult .7
 :Example
Identify each of the following as examples of (1) nominal, (2)
:ordinal, (3) discrete, or (4) continuous variables

.The length of time until a pain reliever begins to work .1

.The number of chocolate chips in a cookie .2
.The number of colors used in a statistics textbook .3
.The brand of refrigerator in a home .4
.The overall satisfaction rating of a new car .5
.The number of files on a computer’s hard disk .6
.The pH level of the water in a swimming pool .7
.The number of staples in a stapler .8
 * A population:
It is the largest collection of values of a random
variable for which we have an interest at a
particular time.
For example:
The weights of all the children enrolled in a
certain elementary school.
Populations may be finite or infinite.

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* A sample:
It is a part of a population.
For example:
The weights of only a fraction of
these children.

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Variable: A characteristic about each individual element of a
.population or sample
Data (singular): The value of the variable associated with one
element of a population or sample. This value may be a number, a
.word, or a symbol
Data (plural): The set of values collected for the variable from
.each of the elements belonging to the sample
.Experiment: A planned activity whose results yield a set of data
Parameter: A numerical value summarizing all the data of an entire
.population
.Statistic: A numerical value summarizing the sample data
Example: A college dean is interested in learning about the average age of faculty.
.Identify the basic terms in this situation

.The population is the age of all faculty members at the college

A sample is any subset of that population. For example, we might select 10 faculty
.members and determine their age
.The variable is the “age” of each faculty member
.One data would be the age of a specific faculty member
.The data would be the set of values in the sample
The experiment would be the method used to select the ages forming the sample
.and determining the actual age of each faculty member in the sample
.The parameter of interest is the “average” age of all faculty at the college
.The statistic is the “average” age for all faculty in the sample
ROOM Gender Ages Job Civil Types of
NO. Description Status Illness
101 M 25 Eng S HF

102 F 32 Clerk T M HF

103 F 38 HW M TF

104 M 46 Bank M M Cough

105 M 55 Taxi D M Pneu

106 F 32 Sec. W Pneu

107 M 60 Teacher W Diabetes

108 F 24 SalesClerk S Cancer

109 M 40 Bank T M HD

110 58 Postman Separated Hep.A

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