False negative rate

False Negative Rate is a statistical measure used in binary classification tests, such as medical diagnostic tests. It refers to the probability that a test will incorrectly indicate the absence of a condition, when in fact, the condition is present.

Definition

The False Negative Rate (FNR), also known as the Miss Rate, is the proportion of positive instances that were erroneously classified as negative. It is calculated as the number of false negatives divided by the sum of the number of false negatives and the number of true positives. It is complementary to the Sensitivity or True Positive Rate.

Calculation

The formula for calculating the False Negative Rate is:

FNR = FN / (FN + TP)

Where:

• FN = False Negatives
• TP = True Positives

Importance in Medical Testing

In the context of medical testing, a high False Negative Rate can have serious implications. For instance, if a diagnostic test for a serious disease has a high FNR, it means that a significant number of people who have the disease will be incorrectly told they do not, potentially delaying treatment.

See Also

• False Positive Rate
• Sensitivity
• Specificity
• Positive Predictive Value
• Negative Predictive Value

References

False negative rate Resources
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