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Two-sided confidence intervals for the single proportion: comparison of seven methods
Robert G. Newcombe,
Corresponding Author
Robert G. Newcombe
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, U.K.
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorRobert G. Newcombe,
Corresponding Author
Robert G. Newcombe
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, U.K.
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 04 December 1998
Citations: 4,056
Abstract
Simple interval estimate methods for proportions exhibit poor coverage and can produce evidently inappropriate intervals. Criteria appropriate to the evaluation of various proposed methods include: closeness of the achieved coverage probability to its nominal value; whether intervals are located too close to or too distant from the middle of the scale; expected interval width; avoidance of aberrations such as limits outside [0,1] or zero width intervals; and ease of use, whether by tables, software or formulae. Seven methods for the single proportion are evaluated on 96,000 parameter space points. Intervals based on tail areas and the simpler score methods are recommended for use. In each case, methods are available that aim to align either the minimum or the mean coverage with the nominal 1−α. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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