Assessment of 2 × 2 Associations: Generalization of Signal-Detection Methodology

Abstract The signal-detection and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) methods, as evolved from an engineering context, are here adapted for use in general biobehavioral contexts. It is shown why, without such adaptation, the results of using ROC methods are not robust in such biobehavioral contexts. With adaptation, the ROC methods prove a valuable addition to the established body of statistical methods of assessing 2 × 2 association, serving as a basis to organize and to interrelate otherwise seemingly disparate approaches. Key Words: Receiver operating characteristicPhiKappaRisk ratiosOdds ratioRisk differencesLogistic regressionLog-linear modelsSurvival methods