Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
Fundamental biostatistical issues encountered in the design and analysis of quantitative/qualitative research projects. Topics include data description, basic probability concepts, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression models and study design.
| Paper title | Nutritional Biostatistics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | HUNT454 |
| Subject | Human Nutrition |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,673.50 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $5,967.53 |
- Eligibility
- The paper will assume a knowledge of basic algebra.
- Contact
- human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Human Nutrition's website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
HASC 413 (15 points) covers fundamental biostatistical issues encountered in the design and analysis of a quantitative research project. Topics include data description, basic probability concepts, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, and regression models and basic study design. This is an existing paper which is run in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine.
Five additional lectures and one assignment (5 points) are overseen in the Department of Human Nutrition. The purpose of this is to give the students a broader understanding of the scientific method and to introduce them to nutrition-specific statistical methods. It aims to support work being undertaken by the students while planning thesis or dissertation work.Students have the choice of either:
- Writing up a short report in the style of a peer reviewed journal
- Writing a short grant application in the style of a Marsden or other grant.
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper runs parallel to HASC 413. It consists of all of the classes and assessments for HASC 413.
An additional two-hour fortnightly class and an additional assignment are also required.- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding,
Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
The main aim of HUNT 454 is for students to learn how to analyse, report, and interpret data in research studies and papers. This will prepare them for postgraduate research as part of either a MSc thesis, PGDip or BSc(Hons) research project/ dissertation.
Timetable
Fundamental biostatistical issues encountered in the design and analysis of quantitative/qualitative research projects. Topics include data description, basic probability concepts, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression models and study design.
| Paper title | Nutritional Biostatistics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | HUNT454 |
| Subject | Human Nutrition |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2022 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Eligibility
- The paper will assume a knowledge of basic algebra.
- Contact
- human-nutrition@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Human Nutrition's website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This paper consists of two components that run concurrently throughout the semester:
- HASC 413: Teaches students how to perform basic statistical analyses to address simple research questions using a statistical software package (Stata), the principles behind basic statistical analyses, and how to interpret and present basic statistical analyses
- Nutrition specific content: Gives students the opportunity to learn how to identify key sources of information in a new research methods topic, and to use this information to develop a structured understanding of this topic that they can communicate effectively to others
- Teaching Arrangements
All of the classes and assessments for HASC 413.
An additional 2-hour fortnightly class and an additional two assignments are also required.
- Textbooks
Essential textbooks:
Altman, Douglas G (1990) Practical Statistics for Medical Research- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical
thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of HUNT 454 students should be able to:
- Discuss ways in which statistical methods can be used to address research questions
- Describe the principles behind statistical analyses
- Use a statistical computer package for elementary data analyses
- Interpret results from data analyses
- Critically appraise published studies, demonstrating the ability to assess study design and methods of data analysis, as well as interpret results
- Identify key sources of information in a new research methods topic
- Use this information to develop a structured understanding of this topic
- Discuss at least one research method through a Māori or Pacific cultural lens
- Demonstrate an ability to work effectively with other students on a common project
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate scientific concepts to an audience effectively
- Demonstrate an ability to facilitate and contribute to group discussion
