02. Need for Biostatistics Tools

Biostatistical tools are necessary in research since it is almost impossible to study an entire population because of the scarcity of resources such as money, time etc. or due to a desire to expose only the minimal number of subjects to the risks involved with certain clinical trials. When an entire population cannot be studied, a representative part of the population (i.e. sample) is examined.

When a researcher studies a sample to draw inferences about the target population, serious errors and sampling bias can result if the sample is not truly representative of the larger population.

Biostatistical tools help researchers overcome sampling bias and draw valid conclusions about the population with a defined level of confidence. Biostatistics plays a crucial role in each phase of scientific research, beginning with the first stage—planning.

Use of Biostatistical Tools in Planning Research

After identifying and defining the research problem, the investigator determines the appropriate study design to follow. Once the study design is selected, the variables must be identified and classified before proceeding to formulate hypotheses in experimental studies. Variables are categorized by their nature, role, and scale of measurement—such as independent vs. dependent, quantitative vs. qualitative, and nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio scales. The nature of these variables directly dictates the selection of data collection methods and downstream statistical analysis.