units

EPM5008

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

18 September 2017 23 December 2024
Monash University

Postgraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational UnitDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
OfferedAlfred Hospital First semester 2014 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)Professor A Forbes & Associate Professor J Carlin

Synopsis

This unit will develop statistical models for longitudinal and correlated data in medical research. The concept of hierarchical data structures will be developed, together with simple numerical and analytical demonstrations of the inadequacy of standard statistical methods. Normal-theory model and statistical procedures i.e. mixed linear models are explored using SAS or Stata statistical software packages. Extension to non-normal outcomes emphasising clinical research question. Case studies contrast generalised estimating equations and generalised linear mixed models. Limitations of traditional repeated measures analysis of variance and non-exchangeable models.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Recognise the existence of correlated or hierarchical data structures, and describe the limitations of standard methods in these settings;
  2. develop and analytically describe an appropriate model for longitudinal or correlated data based on unit matter considerations;
  3. be proficient at using a statistical software package (eg Strata or SAS) to properly model and perform computations for longitudinal data analyses, and to correctly interpret results; and
  4. express the results of statistical analyses of longitudinal data in language suitable for communication to medical investigators or publication in biomedical or epidemiological journal articles.

Assessment

Written assignments
Practical exercises.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Andrew Forbes

Prerequisites

EPM5002, EPM5003, EPM5004, EPM5009, EPM5014 and MPH5040

Co-requisites

EPM5004

Prohibitions

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters of Biostatistics.

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/epidemiology/pgrad