epidemiology or public health

Question

Two tests are available to measure the disease or condition of interest, Test Alpha and Test Delta. Test Alpha has sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 95%. Test Delta has a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 90%.

a. Which test would generate more false negatives?

b. Which test would generate more false positives?

c. Which test would you prefer for your disease or condition of interest? Why?

do need a table or do I follow the formula and compare one to the other---not sure

Answer 1

Regarding your question about the formula or a table. You can do it either way, but mostly it has to do with what you are comfortable with. I recently took a student through this with the formula, but a table would likely have also worked.