🚫 False Negative [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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====== 🚫 False Negative ======

A false negative refers to:

A test or study result that incorrectly indicates the absence of a condition, effect, or difference when it actually exists.

🔍 In Clinical Testing:

A false negative occurs when:

A diagnostic test fails to detect a disease or abnormality that is actually present.

📌 Example:

A patient has a brain tumor, but the MRI report is interpreted as normal → false negative.

📊 In Research and Statistics:

A false negative is a Type II error, meaning:

The study fails to reject the null hypothesis even though the alternative hypothesis is true.

In practical terms, the study misses a real effect (e.g. a treatment actually works, but the study concludes it doesn't).

🔸 Common causes:

Small sample size

Inadequate study design

High variability

Low statistical power

⚠️ Consequences:

Delay in diagnosis or treatment

Underestimation of treatment benefit

Missed opportunities for clinical or scientific advancement