State Medical University, Vladivostok, Russia
Mathematical statistics deals with abstract notions, while medicine solves complicated and many-sided problems. For this reason medical statistics faces some moot points in the interpretation of a number of notions and the classification of statistical indices. In the present article the definition of variables and statistical indices is formulated and their characterization is given. An attempt is made to provide the systematization and natural classification of the latter. Statistical indices are defined as the characteristics of statistical totalities. To classify statistical indices, the most essential signs are used: the character of a variable (external relations), the trend of study (internal content), the form of expression (calculation), derived indices and characteristics (comparison and the results of analysis).
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2005, No. 3, P. 116—121