False negative vs
False Positive vs. False Negative
The question of whether or not a false negative is preferable to a false positive depends on the setting. I will use seven scenarios to explain which would be more preferable: a false negative or a false positive. My opinions will be substantiated with examples of practical experience. First I will define a false negative and a false positive respectively.
False Negative: A false negative error, or in short false negative, is where a test result indicates that a condition failed, while it actually was successful. I.e. erroneously no effect has been assumed.
False Positive: A false positive error, or in short false positive, commonly called a "false alarm", is a result that indicates a given condition has been fulfilled, when it actually has not been fulfilled. I.e. erroneously a positive effect has been assumed.
When using a test of basic math skills to select grocery store cashiers a false negative is preferred. If a potential cashier takes a basic math skills test and a false positive occurs the chance of errors in their cash drawers are more likely. It is better for the company to have false negatives since they will assume less risk overall. For example they would only hire those who successfully passed the test and in this case false positives can degrade their cash flow.
When using an integrity test to select bank teller trainees a false negative is preferred. Bank tellers must have integrity to work in positions where they are entrusted with large amounts of cash. A false negative is the best option in this scenario since it doesn’t pose any risk to the organization if all people who fail the test aren’t hired as bank tellers. However, if a false positive occurs, the individual who doesn’t have the best integrity may pose a very serious threat to the bank by stealing from them.
When using the SAT or ACT to select college students a false negative is preferred. When the test
The question of whether or not a false negative is preferable to a false positive depends on the setting. I will use seven scenarios to explain which would be more preferable: a false negative or a false positive. My opinions will be substantiated with examples of practical experience. First I will define a false negative and a false positive respectively.
False Negative: A false negative error, or in short false negative, is where a test result indicates that a condition failed, while it actually was successful. I.e. erroneously no effect has been assumed.
False Positive: A false positive error, or in short false positive, commonly called a "false alarm", is a result that indicates a given condition has been fulfilled, when it actually has not been fulfilled. I.e. erroneously a positive effect has been assumed.
When using a test of basic math skills to select grocery store cashiers a false negative is preferred. If a potential cashier takes a basic math skills test and a false positive occurs the chance of errors in their cash drawers are more likely. It is better for the company to have false negatives since they will assume less risk overall. For example they would only hire those who successfully passed the test and in this case false positives can degrade their cash flow.
When using an integrity test to select bank teller trainees a false negative is preferred. Bank tellers must have integrity to work in positions where they are entrusted with large amounts of cash. A false negative is the best option in this scenario since it doesn’t pose any risk to the organization if all people who fail the test aren’t hired as bank tellers. However, if a false positive occurs, the individual who doesn’t have the best integrity may pose a very serious threat to the bank by stealing from them.
When using the SAT or ACT to select college students a false negative is preferred. When the test