MPH1041

Introductory biostatistics ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr B Billah

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit is taken concurrently with MPH1040. Together they are prerequisites for clinical epidemiology elective units. Whilst minimal previous knowledge is assumed, the learning curve is fairly steep. Content includes descriptive statistics, probability distributions, estimation and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance and regression, contingency tables and selection of appropriate statistical tests. Students are required to have access to a calculator equipped with elementary scientific functions (eg Casio FX-100).

Objectives: On the completion of this unit, students will be able to: 1. appreciate the importance of biostatistics in medical research and in epidemiology in particular. 2. Understand the concept of uncertainty in research results and the use of biostatistical methods to quantify this uncertainty. 3. Recognise the appropriate statistical methods for basic research problems. 4. Perform simple statistical analyses, report their findings and interpret the results. 5. Critically appraise the statistical aspects of research publications in medicine.

Assessment: Mid-semester + Final examination

Contact Hours: 2 contact hours per week

Corequisites: MPH1040