A Visicalc program for estimating the area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. 1985

R M Centor

The area under the ROC curve interests us as a method for analyzing discrimination or detectability. One can assess a diagnostic test or probability assessor with respect to its degree of discrimination. The area under the ROC curve gives us the probability of correctly identifying abnormal from normal in a forced-choice, two-alternative problem. Previous methods used for calculating the area involved maximum likelihood estimation on a mainframe or minicomputer. This paper demonstrates an adaptation of a recently published nonparametric method for estimating the area. This adaptation takes advantage of electronic spreadsheet software and may be used on most (if not all) microcomputers. The paper develops the construction of the program needed for the necessary calculations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008838 Microcomputers Small computers using LSI (large-scale integration) microprocessor chips as the CPU (central processing unit) and semiconductor memories for compact, inexpensive storage of program instructions and data. They are smaller and less expensive than minicomputers and are usually built into a dedicated system where they are optimized for a particular application. "Microprocessor" may refer to just the CPU or the entire microcomputer. Computers, Personal,Microprocessors,Computer, Personal,Microcomputer,Microprocessor,Personal Computer,Personal Computers
D011336 Probability The study of chance processes or the relative frequency characterizing a chance process. Probabilities
D003201 Computers Programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Calculators, Programmable,Computer Hardware,Computers, Digital,Hardware, Computer,Calculator, Programmable,Computer,Computer, Digital,Digital Computer,Digital Computers,Programmable Calculator,Programmable Calculators
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012984 Software Sequential operating programs and data which instruct the functioning of a digital computer. Computer Programs,Computer Software,Open Source Software,Software Engineering,Software Tools,Computer Applications Software,Computer Programs and Programming,Computer Software Applications,Application, Computer Software,Applications Software, Computer,Applications Softwares, Computer,Applications, Computer Software,Computer Applications Softwares,Computer Program,Computer Software Application,Engineering, Software,Open Source Softwares,Program, Computer,Programs, Computer,Software Application, Computer,Software Applications, Computer,Software Tool,Software, Computer,Software, Computer Applications,Software, Open Source,Softwares, Computer Applications,Softwares, Open Source,Source Software, Open,Source Softwares, Open,Tool, Software,Tools, Software
Copied contents to your clipboard!