NATURE OF BIOSTATISTICS AND DATA PROCESSING

Statistics  Inferential Statistics

 Science dealing with the collection,  Methods of arriving at conclusions and
organization, analysis, and interpretation of generalizations about a target population
numerical data based on information from a sample
 Art of summarizing data so that non-  Estimation of parameters and hypotheses
statistician can understand it testing
 Tool in decision making ---> formulation of good Notes (rec vid):
judgment Red – test for relationship, effectiveness, and
 METHOD or DATA difference.
Biostatistics
Uses of Statistics Populationall members of a specified group
 Data reduction technique (N)
 Tool for analyzing research projects and clinical Sample subset of a population (n)
trials Parameter measure of a characteristic of a
population
 Tool for objective appraisal and evaluation of
Constant value of a characteristic that
programs
remains the same from person to
 Tool in decision making process and policy
person, from time to time or from
making place to place
Variable characteristics takes on different
Biostatistics values
 BIO means life; STATISTICS means data
– a special branch of statistics which deals Types of Data
with quantitative and qualitative aspects of  According to source
vital phenomena Primary Data – these are data that
– health statistics: data required in the come from a direct confrontation. From
planning, administration, and evolution of yourself.
health programs Secondary Data – Data that came from
news, related literature. Indirect.
Uses of Biostatistics
Epidemiology Distribution &  According to functional relationship
determinants of health- Independent
related states and events
Demography Study of human population Dependent
Health economics Functioning of health care
system and health
Categories of Data
affecting behaviors
Types of Variables
Genetics and Heredity; genes and
Qualitative Descriptions or labels to
genomics function
distinguish one group from
another
Branch of Statistics Quantitative Can be measured and
 Descriptive Statistics ordered according to
 Methods of summarizing and presenting quantity or amount and
data expressed numerically
 Computation of measures of central
tendency and variability
 Tabulation and graphical presentation
 Facilitate understanding, analysis, and
interpretation of data

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 Nature of Biostatistics and Data Processing

Types of Quantitative Data Data Coding

A. Discrete Can assume a finite or  Conversion of verbal/written information into
countable number of values. numbers which can be more easily encoded,
(whole numbers) not measured counted and tabulated.
B. Continuous Can assume an infinity or other
possible values (can be Types of Codes
measured) A. Field Code actual value or information
given by the respondent (e.g.
Scale of Measurement of Variables gender)
I. Nominal B. Bracket Recorded as range of values
Simply used as names or identifiers of a Code rather than actual values (e.g.
category age)
Always qualitative C. Factual Codes are assigned to a list of
Does not represent any amount or Code categories of a given variable
quantity D. Pattern Applicable for questions with
II. Ordinal Code multiple responses
Represents an ordered series of
relationships Rules of Code Construction
May be qualitative or quantitative  Number of rules must be kept to minimum (<8)
 Codes should be exhaustive and mutually
III. Interval
exclusive
Does not have a true-zero value
starting point  Adopt coding convention for questions with
Always quantitative similar answers

IV. Ratio
Coding Problems
Modified interval level which includes
 No response
zero as a starting point
 Not applicable questions
Always quantitative

Coding Manual
Data Processing  A document which contains a record of all
 Systematic procedure to ensure that the codes assigned to the responses to all
information/data gathered are complete, questions in the data collection forms
consistent and suitable for analysis.
 Minimum information that must be included
in a coding manual
Variable name
Variable description
Coding Instructions

Data Encoding
 Entering the data/responses in a spreadsheet
 MS Excel
 MS Access
 Epi Info

Data Editing
 Inspection and correction of any errors or
inconsistencies in the information collected
- During data collection, encoding, before
data analysis

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 Nature of Biostatistics and Data Processing

Types of Editing
A. Field - Reviewing the
Editing accomplished data
collection forms
- Decoding of abbreviations
or special symbols
- Making callbacks/messages
for verification/clarification
of incomplete answers

B. Central - Checking of inconsistencies

Editing and incorrect entries after
receiving the questionnaire
from the field
- Checking of encoded data

Importance of Data Editing

 Make corrections as early as possible
 Reduce non-response or incomplete answers
 Eliminate inconsistencies, incorrect info.
 Make the entries clear, legible and
comprehensive
 Prepare data for analysis

What to check when editing data?

 Check for duplicate entries
 Check the totals of each variable if the same as
with the sample size
 For qualitative data, check if categories are
consistent with what is specified in the coding
manual
 For quantitative data, check the minimum and
maximum if they are logical given the possible
values of variable

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