NURS 605: Biostatistics

Dr. Maryam Habadi

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First 2019-2020
2 Chapter 1: Introduction to Biostatistics

´ Statistics: is a field of Study divided into

• Collection, organization, summarization and analysis of data ( Descriptive
Statistics)
• The drawing of inferences about the body of the data when only a part of the
data is observed ( Inferential Statistics).
´ Purpose of statistics is to investigate and evaluate the nature and meaning of
information in data.

´ Biostatistics: The methods of statistics and their application to problems in the

biological and biomedical sciences.
3 Chapter 1: Introduction to Biostatistics

´ Data: data are the values and the numbers that result from

• The taking of a measurement (for example, patient's temperature)

• The process of counting (for example, the number of patients on a day)

• Collection of information about the phenomenon under study ( patient’s nationality)

4 Chapter 1: Introduction to Biostatistics

´ Sources of Data:
• Records
• Surveys
• Experiments
• External Sources.
5 Statistical Terminologies

´ Population:
It consists of all subjects that are being studied
´ Sample:
Is a part of the population
´ Variable:
It is the under studying characteristic which takes on different values.
6 Variable Types:

´ Quantitative Variable:
It is the variable that can be counted or measured and put in a numerical form.

´ Qualitative Variable:
It is the variable that cannot be measured but can be categorized.
7 Quantitative Variable:

´ Discrete Random Variable:

It is characterized by gaps in the values that it can assume and can be count.

´ Continuous Random Variable:

It can assume any value within a specified interval of values.
8 Measurement Scales for qualitative data
´ 1- The nominal Scale:
It classifies the qualitative data into categories, in which no order or ranking can be imposed on the data.
For example, gender (male or female).

´ 2- The ordinal Scale:

It classifies the qualitative data into categories that can be ranked; precise differences between the ranks do
not exist.
For example (the improvements of patient's condition)

´ 4- The Ratio Scale:

It put the quantitative data into numerical form, by using this scale it is not only possible to order, using
math process, but also the distance between any two values is known.
For example (test score)
9 The Sampling Techniques:

´ Simple Random Sample:

If a sample of size n is drawn from a population of size N in such a way that every individual
has the same chance of being selected
place numbered cards in a bowl, mix them thoroughly, and select as many cards as needed.
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´ Systematic Sampling:

Researchers obtain systematic samples by numbering each subject of the population and then
selecting every kth subject.
For example, suppose there were 1000 subjects in the population and a sample of 100 subjects
were needed. Since 1000 / 100 = 10, then the first subject (numbered between 1 and 10) would
be selected at random. Suppose subject 6 was the first subject selected; then the sample would
consist of the subjects whose numbers were 6, 16, 26, etc., until 100 subjects were obtained.
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´ Stratified Sampling:
Researchers obtain stratified samples by dividing the population into groups (called
strata) according to some characteristic that is important to the study, then sampling
from each group. Samples within the strata should be randomly selected.
For example, suppose the president of a two-year college wants to learn how students
feel about a certain issue. Furthermore, the president wishes to see if the opinions of
the first-year students differ from those of the second-year students. The president
will select students from each group to use in the sample
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´ Cluster Sampling:
Researchers also use cluster samples. Here the population is divided into groups called
clusters by some means such as geographic area or schools in a large school district, etc.
Then the researcher randomly selects some of these clusters and uses all members of the
selected clusters as the subjects of the samples.
Suppose a researcher wishes to survey apartments in a large city. If there are 10
apartment buildings in the city, the researcher can select at random 2 buildings from the
10 and interview all the residents of these buildings.
13 Examples of Student Projects

´ Parents Awareness Regarding Children’s Vaccination: Comparison between

different groups of months with respect to the rate of vaccination consumption.
´ The Relationship between Gander and Discharge Status
´ The Relationship between medication shortage and notification of failure to
provide a health service in Makkah hospitals.
14 Computers and Biostatistical Analysis

´ Computers can perform more calculations faster and far more accurately than can
human technicians. The MINITAB, SPSS, and SAS statistical software packages
can be used for statistical analysis.
15 SPSS
´ Enter the data..
´ No Age No. of Miles Gender Pain Level
1 26 5 Female Severe
2 21 7 Female Moderate
3 18 4 Male Moderate
4 35 2 Male Mild
5 45 5 Female severe
6 22 3 Male Severe
7 22 1 Male Moderate
8 31 3 Female Mild
9 15 5 Male Severe
10 36 3 Male Severe