An algorithm for the selection of proper group intervals for histograms representing clinical laboratory data.

Although numerous statistical methods are available, proper definitive technics to deal with the determination of normal values or ranges in clinical chemistry are unresolved and ill-defined. Initially, the ability to the analyst to define a mathematical function that can be used to best fit the random distribution of generated laboratory values still depends on proper grouping of the data. Herein is proposed a method for grouping data, in order to select the proper class interval to be used. Arbitrariness is removed and maximum information about the population being tested can be achieved. The concepts of "regrouping" and "sign reversal" are utilized, and the validity of this technic for constructing the "best" frequency histogram is verified by a general computer algorithm.