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Estimating sensitivity and specificity of a diagnostic test

Estimate the sensitivity/specificity and other measures of the accuracy of a binary diagnostic test (or a quantitative test at a specific decision threshold).

You can use this task with up to two binary tests or quantitative tests at a specified decision threshold. To show the sensitivity/specificity for all possible thresholds of a quantitative test you should use ROC curves.

  1. Select a cell in the dataset.
  2. On the Analyse-it ribbon tab, in the Statistical Analyses group, click Diagnostic, and then click Binary (Sensitivity / Specificity).
    The analysis task pane opens.
  3. In the True state drop-down list, select the true condition variable.
  4. In the Positive event drop-down list, select the state that indicates the presence of the condition/event of interest.
  5. In the Y drop-down list(s), select the test variable(s).
  6. If the Y variable is binary, in the Positive event drop-down list, select the state that indicates a positive test.
  7. If the Y variable is quantitative, click the menu next to the variable and select Cut-off, and then enter the criteria to recode the variable into a binary variable.
  8. If the data are in frequency form, in the Frequency drop-down list, select the frequency count variable.
  9. Optional: Select the appropriate TP/TN/FP/FN, Sensitivity / Specificity, Likelihood ratio, Predictive value check boxes.
  10. Click Calculate.
Related concepts
Sensitivity / Specificity
Related tasks
Comparing the sensitivity and specificity two diagnostic tests
Related reference
Dataset layout
Available in Analyse-it Editions
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Version 6.15
Published 18-Apr-2023
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