Science Journal Of Mathematics and Statistics, Volume
2013 (2013), July 2013
ISSN:2276-6324
© Author(s) 2013. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research Article
Overview of Bayesian Network
Author: Oyeka ICA1, Igwebuike V. Onyiaorah2, Adaora Onyiaorah3, Chilota Efobi4 and Okeh UM5
1Department of Applied Statistics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria.
2Department of Histopathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi Anambra State, Nigeria.
3Department of Opthalmology, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Park lane Enugu State, Nigeria.
4Deparment of Haematology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital,Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.
5Department of Industrial Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Accepted 2 June, 2013; Available Online 15 July 2013
doi: 10.7237/sjms/106
Abstract:
This paper proposes and presents a measure of the strength of association between test results and state of nature or condition in a population constructed using only sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic screening tests. The proposed measure which always has between -1 and 1 inclusively enables the researcher to determine not only if an association exists between test results and condition, but if such an association exists, whether it is positive and direct or negative and indirect thereby giving the measure an advantage over the traditional odds ratio method. Estimates of the standard error and test statistic for the proposed measure are provided. Results using the proposed measure are shown to be easier to interpret and understand than those obtained using the traditional odds ratio approach. Furthermore, using sample data, the proposed measure is shown to be at least as efficient and hence as powerful as the traditional odds ratio.
Keyword:traditional odds ratio, relative risk, sensitivity, specificity, state of nature or condition