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Interval estimation for the difference between independent proportions: comparison of eleven methods
Author(s) -
Newcombe Robert G.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
statistics in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.996
H-Index - 183
eISSN - 1097-0258
pISSN - 0277-6715
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0258(19980430)17:8<873::aid-sim779>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - confidence interval , statistics , binomial (polynomial) , sample size determination , computer science , mathematics , estimation , maximum likelihood , algorithm , management , economics
Several existing unconditional methods for setting confidence intervals for the difference between binomial proportions are evaluated. Computationally simpler methods are prone to a variety of aberrations and poor coverage properties. The closely interrelated methods of Mee and Miettinen and Nurminen perform well but require a computer program. Two new approaches which also avoid aberrations are developed and evaluated. A tail area profile likelihood based method produces the best coverage properties, but is difficult to calculate for large denominators. A method combining Wilson score intervals for the two proportions to be compared also performs well, and is readily implemented irrespective of sample size. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.