Background

The subject of the workshop was the use of Bayesian methods in inferential statistics, with a particular emphasis on interpretation of bioassay data. For several years the internal dosimetry group at Los Alamos has been using these methods (Inkret and Miller 1995; Miller et al. 1993; Miller et al. 1995). As yet, there is no consensus within the DOE community on the validity of the approach in this particular application.

Participants did not need any Bayesian background to attend, but familiarity with the statistical concepts of decision level and minimum detectable amount (Currie's critical level and detection level (Currie 1968)) as presented in ANSI/HPS N13.30, Standard for Radiobioassay (Health Physics Society 1996), was helpful. An excellent introduction to these concepts from a classical statistics viewpoint is in James E. Turner's recent book (Turner 1995).

References

Berry, D.A. Statistics: A Bayesian Perspective. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company; 1996.

Currie, L.A. Limits for Qualitative Detection and Quantitative Determination. Application to Radiochemistry. Analytical Chemistry 40(3):586-593; 1968.

Health Physics Society (HPS). Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay. An American National Standard. HPS N13.30-1996. New York: American National Standards Institute; 1996.

Inkret, W.C.; Miller, G. Methods of Internal Dose Assessment. Los Alamos, New Mexico: Los Alamos National Laboratory; 1995.

Miller, G.; Inkret, W.C.; Martz, H.F. Bayesian Detection Analysis for Radiation Exposure. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 48(3):251-256; 1993.

Miller, G.; Inkret, W.C.; Martz, H.F. Bayesian Detection Analysis for Radiation Exposure, II. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 58(2):115-125; 1995.

Turner, J.E. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. 2nd edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1995.