February, 2003
© 2000, 2001, 2003 Scott S. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D.
Session 1- Overview: 48
Statistical Issues
In fixed sample testing (no interim analyses), frequentist inference is most often obtained using test statistics that are normally distributed.
Hence, the sampling density must be numerically integrated to find some operating characteristics.
Due to properties of the normal distribution, it is feasible to table a standardized form.
The frequentist estimates, confidence intervals, and P values are then derived from the normal sampling distribution.