A researcher compares variability in fasting blood glucose (mean 100 mg/dL, SD 15 mg/dL) and serum creatinine (mean 0.9 mg/dL, SD 0.18 mg/dL) across a study sample. Which measure should be used to compare the relative variability between these two parameters measured in different units?
- A Coefficient of variation ✓
- B Standard error of the mean
- C Standard deviation
- D Interquartile range
Correct answer: A. Coefficient of variation
Explanation
Coefficient of variation (CV) is the ratio of standard deviation to the mean, expressed as a percentage. It is dimensionless and allows comparison of variability between measurements with different units or vastly different means. Standard deviation alone cannot compare variability across different scales. Standard error measures precision of the mean estimate, not variability of observations.
Reference: Methods in Biostatistics, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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