How to Report Odds Ratio & Confidence Intervals

Reporting statistical concepts can be difficult as some require explanation to avoid being taken out of context. Odds ratio is one of the less used -- and most misused -- statistical concepts. Confidence intervals also require precise wording on a report as any omission can lead to misinterpretation. Reporting odds ratio and confidence intervals requires you to understand a few statistical concepts. Working with these concepts provides excellent practice in consolidating the study of statistics.

Instructions

  1. Reporting Odds Ratio

    • 1

      Start by mentioning the odds of an event and state the first variable. For example: "The odds for Car A to win are..."

    • 2

      State the actual odds ratio quantity and the relation (usually greater than or smaller than) that it will have on the variables. From the example above: " 2.34 times greater..."

    • 3

      Write the variables used to calculate the ratio. When calculating the ratio, the order of the variables matters -- for example, "for experienced drivers vs. new drivers" -- so keep that in mind when you write the report.

    • 4

      Cite the source for your ratio at the beginning of your report: "The study from Company XYZ found that the odds for Car A to win are 2.34 times greater for experienced drivers vs. new drivers."

    Reporting Confidence Intervals

    • 5

      Start by expressing the confidence level of the interval as a percentage, for example, "The research shows that we are 95 percent confident ..."

    • 6

      Indicate that the confidence interval contains the value you are looking for. From the example above (assuming we are looking for the mean of a distribution): "... that the true value of the mean ..."

    • 7

      State the boundaries of the confidence interval. Start with the lower boundary, followed by the upper boundary. From the example: "... is located in the interval from 1.23 to 3.56."

    • 8

      Write down the complete sentence, minimizing the use of symbols: "The research shows that we are 95 percent confident that the true value of the mean is located in the interval from 1.23 to 3.56."

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