Ratiosused

Ratiosused is a term used in data analysis to denote the explicit set of ratios selected for a given calculation, together with their definitions, numerators, denominators, and calculation rules. As a metadata concept, ratiosused helps researchers record exactly which ratio-based measures are applied and why.

In practice, ratiosused functions as documentation and methodological guidance across disciplines. It is valued in transparent analytics, reproducible research, and reporting, where analysts list the ratios used, the context of their use, and any transformations applied to align scales or units.

Calculation and variants: A ratio is typically numerator divided by denominator. Ratiosused covers simple ratios as well as derived forms such as rates, proportions, and composite indices. Examples include current assets divided by current liabilities, or a health indicator expressed as cases per 1,000 population.

Applications: Finance, economics, ecology, and public health employ ratiosused to compare performance, risk, or resource use. In finance, liquidity and solvency ratios are common; in public health, incidence rate ratios are used to compare disease occurrence across groups.

Challenges and best practices: Selecting denominators carefully is essential to avoid bias. Analysts must address zero or missing denominators, unit compatibility, and time alignment. Ratiosused should accompany full documentation, including data sources, calculation steps, and interpretation notes.

See also: ratio, rate, proportion, index number, data documentation.