An observational study of the reliability of body temperature measurements using different thermometers by NPC Test method

The need to relax some of the demanding assumptions of classical parametric methods to evaluate observed data in the context of life science studies has brought about the definition of the Nonparametric Combination (NPC) of Dependent Permutation Test methodology. This paper proposes the application of NPC test method to an observational study whose aim was to verify whether extending the time body temperature is measured from the usual five minutes to ten minutes would result in higher readings. It is assumed that higher readings provide more clinically reliable data as they are closer to the patient’s actual inner body temperature. The study’s second aim was to compare measurements taken using a mercury thermometer with a tenminute measuring interval with those taken using the digital axillary thermometer already in use at the hospital. The latter was confirmed as being accurate and reliable.