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Common errors in data analysis: the apparent error rate of classification rules

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

D. J. Hand*
Affiliation:
Biometrics Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr D. J. Hand, Biometrics Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, Dc Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.

Synopsis

Classification and diagnosis are concepts of fundamental importance in medicine. Yet all too frequently in published papers the only measure of performance of a classification rule is the optimistic apparent error rate. This is defined, some real examples are given illustrating how poor it is as an estimate of true future performance, and alternative measures are suggested.

Type
Brief Communications
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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