1st Edition
Basic Statistical Techniques for Medical and Other Professionals A Course in Statistics to Assist in Interpreting Numerical Data
CONTENTS
Foreword
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Chapter 1: Why one Needs Statistical Techniques
Variables and Attributes
Spread of a Variable
Correlation
Taking Samples
Chapter 2: Probability and its Rules
Empirical v À Priori
Independence
Mutually Exclusive Events
Exercise 1 – Manipulating Probabilities
Chapter 3: Dealing with Variables
The Mean
Standard Deviation and Variance
Grouped Data
Ranges
Exercise 2 – Mean and Standard Deviation
Inference and Confidence
Coefficient of Variation
Exercise 3 – Mean and Coefficient of Variation
Medians and Percentiles
Exercise 4 – Median Life Expectancy
Geometric Mean
Chapter 4: Comparing Variables
Comparing the Standard Deviations
Comparing the Means
Exercise 5 – Comparing Two Standard Deviations
Chapter 5: Establishing Trends
Visual Presentation of data
Histograms
Graphs
Some Pitfalls
Extrapolation
Logarithmic Scales
Moving Averages
Control Charts
Chapter 6: Dealing with Attributes
Binomial
Poisson Approximation
Exercise 6 – Attributes using Poisson Curves
Chapter 7: Testing for Significance (Attributes)
Chi Squared
Exercise 7 – Chi Squared
Chapter 8: Correlation and Regression
Relating two Variables
Exercise 8 – Correlation
False Correlation
Establishing a Normal Distribution
Chapter 9: Handling Numbers (Large and Small)
Big Numbers
Small Numbers
Multiplying and Dividing
Negative Exponents
Exercise 9 – Large and Small Numbers
Chapter 10: An Introduction to Risk
Individual Risk
Fatal Accident Frequency (FAFR)
Maximum Tolerable Risk
As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)
Exercise 10 – SLY/Cost per life Saved
Chapter 11: A Final Word
Appendix 1 Manipulating numbers in Spreadsheets
Appendix 2 Brief Glossary of Terms
Appendix 3 Normal Distribution Table
Appendix 4 The F Distribution Tables
Appendix 5 The t Distribution Table
Appendix 6 Cumulative Poisson Curves
Appendix 7 Percentage Points of the Chi Squared Distribution
Appendix 8 Answers to the Exercises
Appendix 9 Further Reading
Biography
Dr. David J. Smith is the Proprietor of Technis Consultancy and has over forty years of experience in reliability and risk assessment and training courses. He is a self-starter who as a leading consultant, and previously as a senior manager in a number of large organizations, has been proactive in the areas of reliability and risk engineering and software quality in both onshore and offshore projects. He’s also a major contributor to national and international standards on functional safety-integrity. An innovator with both management and technical skills in a range of industries who is well known for his contribution to the risk, reliability and quality profession. Author of 8 successful books and numerous papers. Two of his books are regarded as the standard works on the subject. A consultant in his field, for over 30 years, and creator of 6 reliability data and prediction software packages widely used in the profession. His main books are: Reliability, Maintainability and Risk, 9th Edition, Elsevier and The Safety Critical Systems Handbook, 4th edition, 2010, Elsevier.
