Glossary of terms

Table showing the equivalent values between a raw (ordinal) score and an interval score, allowing for easy conversion

Analyses data from a population where each person is studied once

How often conditions occur in different groups of people and why

Statistical technique that identifies subgroups within a population that show similar patterns of change over time

Analyses how resources are used an/or allocated to healthcare

Analyses data where people provide information more than once, so it is possible to study change

The smallest change in a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) that a patient considers to be important

Understanding subjective experiences & beliefs, rather than measuring them

Measurement science that examines PROMs for their quality 

Statistical technique used to analyse the relationships between multiple variables 

Comprehensive synthesis of research findings on a specific topic

Identifying patterns (themes) in qualitative data by examining interviews to find recurring ideas

Questionnaires that allow patients to directly report on their health, including how they feel, function, and experience their condition

A multi-step process to check that a PROM (scale) is fit for use in a specified population