Confidence limit

Confidence limit refers to the upper and lower values within which a statistical parameter is expected to fall, with a certain level of confidence. It is a key concept in statistics and data analysis, particularly in the field of medical research and epidemiology.

Definition

A confidence limit is the numerical boundary that defines the range of values within which a statistical parameter is expected to fall, with a certain level of confidence. This range is known as the confidence interval. The confidence limit can be either upper or lower, depending on whether it defines the maximum or minimum value of the parameter, respectively.

Calculation

The calculation of confidence limits depends on the statistical distribution of the data, the sample size, and the desired level of confidence. In general, the confidence limits are calculated as the estimated parameter plus or minus the product of the standard error and the appropriate value from the standard normal distribution (for a given level of confidence).

Application in Medical Research

In medical research, confidence limits are often used to quantify the uncertainty associated with a point estimate of a parameter, such as the mean or proportion. They provide a range of values within which the true value of the parameter is likely to fall, with a certain level of confidence. This can be useful in interpreting the results of a study and in making decisions based on these results.

See Also

• Confidence interval
• Standard error
• Statistical distribution
• Point estimate

References

• Bland, J. M., & Altman, D. G. (2000). Statistics notes: The odds ratio. BMJ, 320(7247), 1468.
• Rothman, K. J., Greenland, S., & Lash, T. L. (2008). Modern epidemiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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