How Are Biostatistical Methods Applied in Cancer Research?
Several biostatistical methods are commonly used in cancer research, including:
Descriptive Statistics: These methods summarize and describe the main features of a dataset, such as the mean, median, and standard deviation. Inferential Statistics: Inferential methods are used to make generalizations from a sample to a population. This includes hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. Survival Analysis: This method analyzes the time until an event occurs, such as time to cancer recurrence or death. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models are commonly used. Regression Analysis: Regression techniques are used to model the relationship between a dependent variable (e.g., cancer incidence) and one or more independent variables (e.g., age, smoking status).