data measurements of epidemiology

Data Measurements of Epidemiology
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Introduction
Every research process entails analysis of data using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics include describing data in reference to means, mode, and median, which can be presented in tabular and graphical form. The first step of data analysis is to understand the frequencies, and this paper aims to give insight into the different ways in which these frequencies can be presented in numerical and graphical forms by focusing on bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, ratios, proportions, percentages, incidence, and prevalence.
Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Graphs
There is no mode of data presentation that is better than the other because the use of either presentation mode is dependent on the type of data. Charts and graphs are used to present data in a graphics format. Pie charts and bar charts (single bars) are useful when comparing different pieces of data when a timeline is not present. As a result, it becomes easy to compare data sets. Line graphs are essential when determining trends and changes (Morrison & Hamshaw, 2012).
Ratios, Proportions, Percentages
Data is also presented in ratios, percentages, and proportions. Ratios are used to compare the frequency of one variable against another, for example, the ratio of boys to girls is 1:2 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). Both proportions and percentages describe the frequency of a variable in relation to the whole. However, percentages are described in relation to one hundred, such as 93%.

Proportions, on the other hand, are a fraction of the real thing, such as 1 cm represents 100cm (Robbins & Hauge, 1999).
Incidence and Prevalence
According to Smith (2005), prevalence refers to the proportion of a population that has a certain disease or ailment at a certain point in time, and it is determined using surveys and related cross-sectional studies. Incidence, on the other hand, refers to the proportion of individuals that acquire a condition over a certain timeframe, and it is determined using longitudinal studies. Whereas the prevalence of a certain condition includes both the new and old cases, the incidence, on the other hand, includes only the new cases of a condition being examined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a need to understand one’s data so as to use the right mode of presentation. Data is presented differently depending on the type of data being targeted.

References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Statistical language- Describing frequencies. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/a3121120.nsf/home/statistical+language+-+describing+frequencies.
Morrison, K., & Hamshaw, N. (2012). Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics core and extended coursebook with CD-ROM. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Robbins, P. R., & Hauge, S. K. (1999). Word problems with decimals, proportions, and percents. Portland, Maine: J. Weston Walch.
Smith, R. D. (2005). Veterinary clinical epidemiology (3rd ed.). London: Taylor & Francis.