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Beyond sensitivity, specificity and statistical independence
Author(s) -
Jones Richard H.,
McClatchey Maureen W.
Publication year - 1988
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/sim.4780071209
Subject(s) - independence (probability theory) , sensitivity (control systems) , econometrics , statistics , computer science , mathematics , engineering , electronic engineering
Sensitivity and specificity have clear definitions when there is a single test for one disease, and the test is either positive or negative. This paper presents a unified appraoch for obtaining posterior probabilities (predictive values) when there are more than two test outcomes and/or more than one disease state. In these cases, sensitivity and specificity do not have clear definitions. Three examples from the literature demonstrate how this approach simplifies the presentation of Bayesian revision of prior probabilities. Use of proper care in data collection for the purpose of estimating conditional probabilities can avoid assumptions of statistical independence.