Glossary

Accuracy: whether the test measures what it says it means. False Negative: a negative test result in a person who actually has the disease. False positive: a positive test result in a person who does not have the disease. Gold standard: the method that is considered the best available method to test for a particular disease. Negative predictive value: the probability that a person with a negative result does not have the disease. Positive predictive value: the probability that a person with a positive result does have the disease. Precision: whether or not a test will reproduce the same result if repeated on the same patient sample. Predictive value: determined by the sensitivity and specificity of the test and the prevalence of disease in the population being tested. Prevalence: the proportion of persons in a defined population at a given point in time with the condition in question. Reliability: the repeatability or reproducibility of a laboratory test. A reliable test is a test that will give you similar results on repeat testing. Sensitivity: the probability that a person who has the disease will test positive. Specificity: the probability that a person without any disease will test negative.