HLTH 501 BIOSTATISTICS STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ What is measurement? Answer: How we get our data... the
assignment of numbers of codes according to prior set-rules
◉ What are the three disciplines of biostatistics? Answer: 1. Improve
intellectual content of data.
2. Organize data into a format that is understandable.
3. Relies on tests of experience as standard of validity.
◉ What is an observation? example? Answer: The unit upon which a
measurement is made. ex: a person or a region.
◉ What is a variable? Answer: A characteristic being measured.
◉ What is a value? Answer: A number or code that has been realized
◉ How do you set up a data table? Answer: Observations in rows
Variables in columns
Values in the middle
,◉ When would you use a categorical scale? Example? Answer: When
there are two or more categories with no intrinsic ordering to the
categories. Example - gender, blood type, disease state.
◉ When would you use an ordinal scale? Example? Answer: it puts
observations into categories that can be ranked/ordered. Ex: cancer
stages.
◉ When would you use a quantitative scale? Example? Answer: For
numeric values. Ex: height, weight, age.
◉ What is objectivity? Answer: The intent to measure things as they
are without shaping them to conform to a preconceived worldview.
◉ What are the two forms of measurement errors? Answer: 1.
Imprecision
2. Bias
◉ What is imprecision? Answer: The Inability to get the same result
on repeat.
◉ What is reliability? Answer: Ability to replicate.
, ◉ What is bias? Answer: The tendency to overestimate or
underestimate the true value.
◉ What is validity? Answer: The ability to identify the true nature of
observation... when something is unbiased
◉ What are two types of studies? Answer: Survey
Comparative (experimental and non experimental)
◉ What kind of sample entails equal chance in selection for
generalization to the population? Answer: Simple random sample.
◉ What are three cautions you must have when picking a sample?
Answer: Undercoverage
Volunteer bias
Non response bias
◉ What is undercoverage? Answer: Groups in population are left out
or underrepresented.
◉ What is non response bias? Answer: Large percentage of sample
refuse or can't be contacted.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ What is measurement? Answer: How we get our data... the
assignment of numbers of codes according to prior set-rules
◉ What are the three disciplines of biostatistics? Answer: 1. Improve
intellectual content of data.
2. Organize data into a format that is understandable.
3. Relies on tests of experience as standard of validity.
◉ What is an observation? example? Answer: The unit upon which a
measurement is made. ex: a person or a region.
◉ What is a variable? Answer: A characteristic being measured.
◉ What is a value? Answer: A number or code that has been realized
◉ How do you set up a data table? Answer: Observations in rows
Variables in columns
Values in the middle
,◉ When would you use a categorical scale? Example? Answer: When
there are two or more categories with no intrinsic ordering to the
categories. Example - gender, blood type, disease state.
◉ When would you use an ordinal scale? Example? Answer: it puts
observations into categories that can be ranked/ordered. Ex: cancer
stages.
◉ When would you use a quantitative scale? Example? Answer: For
numeric values. Ex: height, weight, age.
◉ What is objectivity? Answer: The intent to measure things as they
are without shaping them to conform to a preconceived worldview.
◉ What are the two forms of measurement errors? Answer: 1.
Imprecision
2. Bias
◉ What is imprecision? Answer: The Inability to get the same result
on repeat.
◉ What is reliability? Answer: Ability to replicate.
, ◉ What is bias? Answer: The tendency to overestimate or
underestimate the true value.
◉ What is validity? Answer: The ability to identify the true nature of
observation... when something is unbiased
◉ What are two types of studies? Answer: Survey
Comparative (experimental and non experimental)
◉ What kind of sample entails equal chance in selection for
generalization to the population? Answer: Simple random sample.
◉ What are three cautions you must have when picking a sample?
Answer: Undercoverage
Volunteer bias
Non response bias
◉ What is undercoverage? Answer: Groups in population are left out
or underrepresented.
◉ What is non response bias? Answer: Large percentage of sample
refuse or can't be contacted.
