Evidence Based Medicine
Statistics
If the null hypothesis is wrongly rejected when it is actually true, this is an example of:
Answer:
A type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is wrongly rejected when it is actually true and we conclude that there is a difference of effect when in reality there is none (a false positive result).Type I and Type II Errors
Evidence Based Medicine / Statistics
Last Updated: 21st April 2019
Type I Error
A type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is wrongly rejected when it is actually true and we conclude that there is a difference of effect when in reality there is none (a false positive result).
The probability of making a type I error is denoted by alpha (α), the predetermined significance level of the test (conventionally α = 0.05).
- A p value < 0.05 means that the probability of obtaining a given result by chance is less than 1 in 20. This is statistically significant and means the null hypothesis is rejected and there is evidence of an association between a variable and an outcome.
- A p value > 0.05 is statistically non-significant and the null hypothesis is accepted. An association between a variable and an outcome has not been proved.
Type II Error
A type II error occurs when the null hypothesis is wrongly accepted when it is actually false and we conclude that there is no evidence of a difference in effect when one really exists (a false negative result).
The probability of making a type II error is denoted by beta (β).
Type II errors can be avoided at the design stage of the study by power calculations that give an indication of the minimum sample size required so that one can be reasonable likely to detect an effect of a given size.
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- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
