Confidence interval

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Tolerance limits)

Confidence interval is a statistical term that refers to the range within which the true value of a parameter is expected to fall with a certain probability. It is a measure of the uncertainty or variability associated with a sampling method. A confidence interval is usually expressed in terms of a percentage, for example, a 95% confidence interval means that the true value is expected to fall within the range 95% of the time.

Definition[edit | edit source]

A confidence interval is a range of values, derived from a statistical analysis, that is likely to contain the value of an unknown parameter. The interval has an associated confidence level that quantifies the level of confidence that the parameter lies within the interval.

Interpretation[edit | edit source]

The correct interpretation of a confidence interval is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts in statistics. The confidence level is the frequency (i.e., the proportion) of possible confidence intervals that contain the true value of their corresponding parameter. In other words, if confidence intervals are constructed using a given confidence level from an infinite number of independent sample statistics, the proportion of those intervals that contain the true value of the parameter would equate to the confidence level.

Calculation[edit | edit source]

The calculation of a confidence interval depends on the statistical distribution of the observed data, the size of the sample, and the desired confidence level. For a normal distribution, the confidence interval for the mean is obtained by adding and subtracting the standard error times a constant from the sample mean. The constant is determined by the desired confidence level and is obtained from the quantile of the standard normal distribution.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Confidence intervals are widely used in medical research, engineering, economics, and many other fields. They provide a useful way to assess the reliability of estimates, comparisons, and other statistical analyses.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Confidence interval Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD