Statistics at Square One

Abstract: Simple statistical methods are presented for medical professionals for putting numerical, clinical (or other) data into a context by which their meaning can be determined. No knowledge of mathematics beyond the elementary level is required. Examples mainly are drawn from clinical medicine, but the methods may be readily adapted to other branches of biology. These methods enlist the following (described) statistical concepts: data tabulation and its mean and standard deviation values; data populations and probability; differences between 2 means; percentages and paired alternatives; the "t" "chi-square", exact probability, and rank sum tests; and correlations and regression analysis. Required statistical tables are appended. (wz).