Archives: Glossary
A statistical term. the median is the middle value in a set of numbers when they are arranged in order from smallest to largest (or largest to smallest). It separates the higher half from the lower half of the data. For example, in the following dataset: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. The median value is […]
A statistical term. It helps show whether a difference found between groups that are being compared is due to chance (see statistically significant). A small p-value (typically less than 0.05, shown as p<0.05) usually means that the difference between groups is not due to chance alone, but is due to some other factor, such as […]
A false negative is a test result that incorrectly shows a condition is not present, when it actually is. For example, a blood test might suggest that a person does not have cancer, but when other confirmatory tests are performed (e.g. biopsy) it turns out that the person does have cancer and the blood test […]
A false positive is a test result that incorrectly shows a condition is present, when it actually is not. For example, a blood test might pick up something unusual and suggest that a person has cancer, but when other confirmatory tests are performed (e.g. biopsy) it turns out the person does not have cancer and […]
A statistical term which is the average value in a set of numbers. The mean is the sum of a set of numbers divided by how many numbers are in the set. For example, if we measure the tumour sizes of five patients and calculate the mean, we get an idea of what the average […]
A relationship or connection between 2 or more measures (variables).
An analysis that explores the costs of an intervention in relation to the benefit derived from it.
A type of immune cell, called a lymphocyte, which is involved in the adaptive immune system and helps protect the body from diseases, such as cancer. There are two main types: Cytotoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ cells, which can destroy infected cells and tumour cells directly and indirectly. Helper T cells, also known […]
White blood cells are a crucial part of the body’s immune system, which works to protect us from infection and other diseases, such as cancer. There are many types of white blood cells, which includes macrophages, lymphocytes, granulocytes and others. Also called leucocytes.
A type of white blood cell involved in the immune system that engulfs and digests foreign invaders, such as bacteria, as well as dead, damaged or abnormal cells such as cancer cells. Macrophages also stimulate the action of other cells involved in the immune system. Macrophages are a type of antigen-presenting cell and involved in […]