What Are the Common Statistical Methods Used in Toxicology?
Several statistical methods are commonly employed in toxicology:
Descriptive statistics: Used to summarize and describe the main features of a dataset. This includes measures of central tendency (mean, median) and variability (standard deviation, range). Hypothesis testing: Used to determine whether there is a significant difference between groups. Common tests include t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests. Regression analysis: Used to model the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. This can help in understanding how changes in dose affect the response. Probit analysis: A type of regression used specifically for dose-response analysis, helping to estimate the dose at which a certain percentage of the population shows a response. Survival analysis: Used to analyze time-to-event data, such as the time until the occurrence of a toxic effect.
