Introduction to

Biostatistics
By
BL
 Definition of Terms
◼ Biostatistics
◼ Bio – Life
◼ Statistics - to the science dealing with the
"collection, organization, analysis and
interpretation of numerical data
◼ Descriptive Statistics - branch of Biostatistics
which is concerned with developing and utilizing
techniques for effective presentation of
numerical information
 Definition of Terms
◼ Analytical Statistics - the methods involved in
developing and utilizing techniques for properly
analyzing numerical information. Inferential
methods is the main concern
◼ Population – Whole
◼ Sample - Subset
 Definition of Terms
◼ Data - the set of measurable, available
information which can either be constants or
variables
◼ Constant – No change (i.e., person, time, and
place)
◼ Variable – Changes (i.e., person, time, and place)
 Classification of Variable
Variable

Qualitative Quantitative

Discrete Continuous
 Classification of variable
◼ Qualitative variable – this is categorical in
nature. Example is
◼ Sex: Male and Female
◼ Marital status: Married and Single

◼ Quantitative variable – This is numerical

information. Examples are Age, Weight, Height
 Classification of variable
◼ There are 2 types of quantitative variable
◼ Discrete (Whole number). Example is Number of
students, Number of episodes of diarrhea
◼ Continuous (This may exist in decimal points)
Example is weight – 50.5 kgs
 Scales of Measurement
1. Nominal - categorical
2. Ordinal – there is order or rank
3. Interval – zero is not fixed
4. Ratio – zero fixed
 Liquid A Liquid A
Interval
Liquid B Liquid B = 200C

Zero is Is Liquid A twice more

not fixed hot than Liquid B? The
answer is NO because
zero is not fixed
 Ratio = 1:2 Interval = 25 kgs

Peter John

0 25 50 kgs

0 55 110 lbs

Zero is fixed! Is John twice more

heavy than Peter? The
answer is YES
 Variables
◼ Independent
◼ Dependent
◼ Confounder

◼ Example:
◼ The objective is to determine the relationship
between smoking and the occurrence of lung
cancer
 Conceptual Framework
Independent Dependent
Variable Variable

Smoking Lung cancer

Age How do we analyze

the data?
Confounding
Variable
 Exercise
1. Age of gestation
2. Sex
3. Number of students
4. Cause of morbidity
5. Presence or absence of breast cancer
6. Apgar score
7. Weight
8. Type of delivery: CS, Spontaneous vaginal, etc
 Requirement
◼ Textbook: Biostatistics book by Bernard Rosner
◼ Scientific calculator