| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Statistics | The science that deals with the collection, classification, analysis and interpretation of numerical facts of data. |
| Mean | A number that represents a set of numbers in any of several ways determine by a rule involving all numbers of a set (the average). |
| Median | The middle value in a distribution above and below which lie an equal number of values. Pertaining to or constituting the muddle value in a distribution. |
| Mode | The value or item occurring most frequently in a series of observations or statistical data |
| Standard Deviation | A mathematical value describing the typical difference from the mean and is most commonlyused statistic for describing the dispersion of groups of single observations. Represented by the symbol "s". |
| Coefficient of Variation (CV) | Scatter around the mean expressed in percent. A measure of the interdependence of 2 random variables that ranges in value from negative to positive. |
| Normal Distribution | A theoretical frequency distribution represented by a normal curve |
| Normal Range | The usual values for a healthy population; also known as "reference interval". |
| Random Error | A type of analytical error; random error affects precision and is the basis for disagreement between repeated measurements. |
| Systematic Error | A type of analytical error which arises from factors that contribute a constant difference, either positive or negative, and directly affects the estimate of the mean. |
| Accuracy | The extent to whiich a measurement agrees with the true value of the analyte being assayed |
| Precision | The ability to produce series of results that agree closely with each other (reproducibility) |
| Reliability | The measure of ability to achieve both accuracy and precision. |
| Quality Assurance (QA) | All systematic actions necessary to provide the confidence in laboratory services. |
| Examples of Quality Assurance | Quality Control, Maintenance, Temperature logs, Background checks, Supervisory review. |
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