Visual presentation of statistical concepts in diagnostic testing: the 2 × 2 diagram

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014 Jul;203(1):W14-20. doi: 10.2214/AJR.13.11954.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present a visual conceptual framework for important statistical concepts in radiology, and to provide an online application to facilitate this visualization.

Conclusion: Statistical measures such as sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values are ubiquitous in medical literature, yet thinking fluidly about these concepts is not always easy. The 2 × 2 diagram is a helpful guide.

Keywords: contingency table; diagnostic testing; predictive values; sensitivity; specificity; statistics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Audiovisual Aids
  • Computer Graphics
  • Data Display*
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Statistics as Topic*