Diagnostic tests: distinguishing good tests from bad and even ugly ones
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Advancing Dyslexia Assessment in Children Through Computerized Testing
Published on: August 16, 2024
1University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville 22908-0473, USA.
Abstract:
This article focuses on the selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests, emphasizing the importance of understanding how their mathematical parameters affect the information they provide in various settings. The utility and limitations of sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are discussed using catheter-related bloodstream infections as an example. ROC curves have been used for selecting optimal cutoff values for a positive result and for selecting among several alternative diagnostic tests. For example, 16 different tests have been proposed for diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection; ROC analysis provides an effective way to determine which test offers the best overall performance.
Related Concept Videos
Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predicted Value
Sensitivity is the...
Statistical Methods to Analyze Parametric Data: Student t-Test and Goodness-of-Fit Test
The Student's t-test is a statistical test that examines if there is a statistically significant difference between the means of two groups. This test is instrumental when dealing with data...
Receiver Operating Characteristic Plot
Detection of Gross Error: The Q Test
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Automated Microbial Diagnostics
