Biostatistics 101: data presentation.

Correspondence to: Y H Chan Tel: (65) 6317 2121 Fax: (65) 6317 2122 Email: chanyh@ cteru.gov.sg INTRODUCTION Now we are at the last stage of the research process: Statistical Analysis & Reporting. In this article, we will discuss how to present the collected data and the forthcoming write-ups will highlight on the appropriate statistical tests to be applied. The terms Sample & Population; Parameter & Statistic; Descriptive & Inferential Statistics; Random variables; Sampling Distribution of the Mean; Central Limit Theorem could be read-up from the references indicated. To be able to correctly present descriptive (and inferential) statistics, we have to understand the two data types (see Fig. 1) that are usually encountered in any research study.