Question

1. When an early diagnostic "test is developed for a disease, what percentage of false positives do you believe is acceptable? explain your answer with non precise mathematical argument....

Answer 1

In mathematical terms false positives are called type I error and its rate should be less than 1% i.e. selectivity should be more than 99% because if you get false positive for a disease and you start to treat the patient with medicine, then it might adversely affect the patient also keeping in mind side effects can cause other problems. So, the chances of this type of error should be kept minimum to avoid such a scenario especially when dealing with lives.