Group testing is a procedure that splits samples into multiple groups based on some specific grouping criterion and then tests each group. It is usually used in identifying affected individuals or estimating the population proportion of affected individuals. Improving precision of group testing and saving cost of experiment are two crucial tasks for investigators. Cost-efficiency is a ratio of precision to cost; hence improving cost-efficiency is as crucial as improvement of precision and cost saving. In this thesis, retesting will be considered as a method to improve precision and cost-efficiency, and save cost. Retesting is an extension of group testing. It uses two or more group testing stages, and testing original samples in all of the stages. Hepworth and Watson (2015) proposed a two-stage group testing procedure where two stages have equal group sizes, and the number of groups of the second stage is based on the number of positive groups in the first stage. In this thesis, our main goal is estimating a proportion p under the circumstance of unequal group sizes in two stages, and discovering the most cost-efficient experiment design. Analytical solutions of precision will be provided; we will use these analytical solutions with simulations to analyse some experimental designs, and discover whether doing one group testing only is precise enough or not and if it is worth retesting for each design. In the end, we will combine all these analyses and identify the optimal experiment design. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Research suggests there may be race, sex, and ability differences in score improvement on different selection tests and methods when retested (Schleicher, Van Iddekinge, Morgeson, & Campion, 2010). However, it is uncertain what individual differences moderate retest performance on GMA assessments, and why. In this study, 243 participants were retested on the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT). There was no evidence that race, sex, emotional stability, or conscientiousness moderate retest performance on the WPT, although SAT scores did positively predict retest performance. Individuals within the interquartile range of the initial WPT scores gained more when retested than those with more extreme scores. Establishing artificial cut-off levels demonstrated that those below the cut-off gained more when retested than those above the cut-off. Therefore, average-scorers and in some cases lower-scorers who may have failed to meet a predetermined cut-off are encouraged to re-test as they have little to lose and much to gain.

Objetivo: Analisar a etapa do reteste da Triagem Auditiva Neonatal (TAN) a partir dos dados encontrados em um hospital de Porto Alegre, bem como analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste, dos bebês que falharam no teste neste mesmo hospital e sugerir possíveis intervenções na gestão. Método: Trata-se de um estudo quanti-qualitativo, descritivo e transversal, desenhado a partir da análise dos dados da fase do reteste da TAN. Para analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste dos bebês que falharam na TAN, foram realizadas entrevistas por telefone, a fim de, obter informações que apontassem as causas das faltas. Resultados: o total de casos analisados foi de 1.202 bebês. Na indicação para o reteste foram identificados 165 (13.8%). Quanto aos faltosos - na etapa do reteste - foram encontrados 38 bebês (23%), cabe ressaltar que o número de faltosos foram calculados sobre o número dos indicados para o reteste. Das 38 famílias contatadas, 32 responderam ao contato telefônico. Os diagnosticados com surdez foram 24 (2%), ficaram em monitoramento 301 (25.2%) e tiveram alta 651 (54.5%) bebês. Quanto ao motivo mais prevalente do não comparecimento à etapa do reteste, foi esquecimento. Para reverter esse cenário, a sugestão é articulação com políticas públicas existentes, como Atenção Básica e Primeira Infância Melhor, com busca ativa dos bebês e reforço no processo de informação das mães e familiares. / Objective: To analyze the stage of retest of Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) from data found in a hospital in Porto Alegre, analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of infants who failed the test in this hospital and suggest possible interventions in management. Method: This is a quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study drawn from the data analysis phase of the NHS retest. To analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of babies who failed the NHS, interviews were conducted by telephone so as to obtain information that pointed out the causes of absences. Results: The total number of analyzed cases was 1.202 babies. In the indication for retesting 165 (13.8%) were indentified. As for absences – in the retest step - 38 infants (23%) were found. It is worth noting that the number of absences was calculated from the number of indications for retest. From the 38 telephone calls made to families, 32 replied to contact. Cases diagnosed with deafness were 24 (2%). Other 301 (25.2%) cases remained in monitoring and 651(54.5%) infants were discharged. The most common reason for not attending the retest step was forgetfulness. In order to reverse this scenario, the suggestion is the articulation in conjunction with existing public policies, such as Primary Care and Better Early Childhood Development Program and an active search for infants and the strengthening of the information process of mothers and family.

Objetivo: Analisar a etapa do reteste da Triagem Auditiva Neonatal (TAN) a partir dos dados encontrados em um hospital de Porto Alegre, bem como analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste, dos bebês que falharam no teste neste mesmo hospital e sugerir possíveis intervenções na gestão. Método: Trata-se de um estudo quanti-qualitativo, descritivo e transversal, desenhado a partir da análise dos dados da fase do reteste da TAN. Para analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste dos bebês que falharam na TAN, foram realizadas entrevistas por telefone, a fim de, obter informações que apontassem as causas das faltas. Resultados: o total de casos analisados foi de 1.202 bebês. Na indicação para o reteste foram identificados 165 (13.8%). Quanto aos faltosos - na etapa do reteste - foram encontrados 38 bebês (23%), cabe ressaltar que o número de faltosos foram calculados sobre o número dos indicados para o reteste. Das 38 famílias contatadas, 32 responderam ao contato telefônico. Os diagnosticados com surdez foram 24 (2%), ficaram em monitoramento 301 (25.2%) e tiveram alta 651 (54.5%) bebês. Quanto ao motivo mais prevalente do não comparecimento à etapa do reteste, foi esquecimento. Para reverter esse cenário, a sugestão é articulação com políticas públicas existentes, como Atenção Básica e Primeira Infância Melhor, com busca ativa dos bebês e reforço no processo de informação das mães e familiares. / Objective: To analyze the stage of retest of Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) from data found in a hospital in Porto Alegre, analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of infants who failed the test in this hospital and suggest possible interventions in management. Method: This is a quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study drawn from the data analysis phase of the NHS retest. To analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of babies who failed the NHS, interviews were conducted by telephone so as to obtain information that pointed out the causes of absences. Results: The total number of analyzed cases was 1.202 babies. In the indication for retesting 165 (13.8%) were indentified. As for absences – in the retest step - 38 infants (23%) were found. It is worth noting that the number of absences was calculated from the number of indications for retest. From the 38 telephone calls made to families, 32 replied to contact. Cases diagnosed with deafness were 24 (2%). Other 301 (25.2%) cases remained in monitoring and 651(54.5%) infants were discharged. The most common reason for not attending the retest step was forgetfulness. In order to reverse this scenario, the suggestion is the articulation in conjunction with existing public policies, such as Primary Care and Better Early Childhood Development Program and an active search for infants and the strengthening of the information process of mothers and family.

Objetivo: Analisar a etapa do reteste da Triagem Auditiva Neonatal (TAN) a partir dos dados encontrados em um hospital de Porto Alegre, bem como analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste, dos bebês que falharam no teste neste mesmo hospital e sugerir possíveis intervenções na gestão. Método: Trata-se de um estudo quanti-qualitativo, descritivo e transversal, desenhado a partir da análise dos dados da fase do reteste da TAN. Para analisar os motivos da falta ao reteste dos bebês que falharam na TAN, foram realizadas entrevistas por telefone, a fim de, obter informações que apontassem as causas das faltas. Resultados: o total de casos analisados foi de 1.202 bebês. Na indicação para o reteste foram identificados 165 (13.8%). Quanto aos faltosos - na etapa do reteste - foram encontrados 38 bebês (23%), cabe ressaltar que o número de faltosos foram calculados sobre o número dos indicados para o reteste. Das 38 famílias contatadas, 32 responderam ao contato telefônico. Os diagnosticados com surdez foram 24 (2%), ficaram em monitoramento 301 (25.2%) e tiveram alta 651 (54.5%) bebês. Quanto ao motivo mais prevalente do não comparecimento à etapa do reteste, foi esquecimento. Para reverter esse cenário, a sugestão é articulação com políticas públicas existentes, como Atenção Básica e Primeira Infância Melhor, com busca ativa dos bebês e reforço no processo de informação das mães e familiares. / Objective: To analyze the stage of retest of Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) from data found in a hospital in Porto Alegre, analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of infants who failed the test in this hospital and suggest possible interventions in management. Method: This is a quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study drawn from the data analysis phase of the NHS retest. To analyze the reasons for the absence to the retest of babies who failed the NHS, interviews were conducted by telephone so as to obtain information that pointed out the causes of absences. Results: The total number of analyzed cases was 1.202 babies. In the indication for retesting 165 (13.8%) were indentified. As for absences – in the retest step - 38 infants (23%) were found. It is worth noting that the number of absences was calculated from the number of indications for retest. From the 38 telephone calls made to families, 32 replied to contact. Cases diagnosed with deafness were 24 (2%). Other 301 (25.2%) cases remained in monitoring and 651(54.5%) infants were discharged. The most common reason for not attending the retest step was forgetfulness. In order to reverse this scenario, the suggestion is the articulation in conjunction with existing public policies, such as Primary Care and Better Early Childhood Development Program and an active search for infants and the strengthening of the information process of mothers and family.