Basics of Probability

Probabilities are numbers that reflect the likelihood that a particular event or outcome will occur. We hear about probabilities in many every-day situations ranging from weather forecasts (probability of rain or snow) to the lottery (probability of hitting the big jackpot).  In this module we discuss basic concepts of probability as they apply to important problems in public health, including sampling participants from a source population into a study sample, and understanding associations between different conditions or events. 

The course covers:

• Compute and interpret unconditional probabilities
• Compute and interpret conditional probabilities
• Evaluate and interpret independence of events

Developed by: Lisa Sullivan, PhD; Wayne LaMorte, MD, PhD, MPH