Overview
Introduction to the use of statistical methods in health sciences research. Descriptive and simple inferential statistics for discrete, continuous and right-censored data. Introduction to linear regression.
This distance-taught paper will introduce students to the use of statistical methods in health sciences research and is highly recommended for all students that want and/or need to analyse quantitative data. Students will learn the theory needed to perform basic descriptive analysis and to begin to understand appropriate statistical methods to quantitative questions. The paper has a strong applied component, and students will learn how the foundations of biostatistics apply to public health. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and analysis for epidemiological studies. Students will learn to use Stata, a leading statistical software package in health sciences research. For this paper, students must have a computer with an Internet connection and be computer literate.
About this paper
| Paper title | Applied Biostatistics 1 - Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (27 April 2026 - 19 June 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,743.38 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HASC 413
- Limited to
- MA, MAppSc, MClinPharm, MHealSc, MMLSc, MPH, MPharm, MPHC, MSc, DPH, PGDipAppSc, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipMLSc, PGDipPharm, PGDipSci, PGCertPH, BMLSc(Hons)
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin campus: publichealth.dunedin@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Dr Brett Maclennan (Convener)
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Descriptive Statistics and Graphical Summaries
- Sampling Distributions
- Confidence Intervals
- Hypothesis Testing and Sample Size
- Analysis for epidemiological studies
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
- Compulsory webinar sessions: Tuesday afternoons, 4pm-6pm.
- Block Week (zoom webinars): Monday 27th April, Tuesday 28th April, Wednesday 29th April, 4pm-6pm.
- Textbooks
Altman, Douglas G (1990) Practical Statistics for Medical Research.
Kirkwood, Betty R. & Sterne, Jonathan A. C. (2003), Essential Medical Statistics. 2nd ed.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of types of data and appropriate descriptive statistics and graphical summaries.
- Apply skills in simple data analysis methods and measures of precision and interpreting the results.
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of the statistical issues in research design and data analysis.
- Assessment details
Assessment Structure:
- Participation and contribution: 10% of the marks for this paper will derive from your contribution to Zoom sessions and discussion forums. The marks will not be awarded for the correctness of your contributions, but for making an effort to engage with the question at hand and to use the reading and other learning that you have done to progress the discussion.
- Assignment 1: This assignment, worth 40% of the mark for the paper, assesses your ability to perform descriptive statistics and to report summaries on high-quality tables and plots. It will cover material up until the end of week 3.
- Assignment 2: This assignment, worth 50% of the mark for the paper, will assess your learning on material covered in the course, with an emphasis on materials covered from week 4.
Overview
Introduction to the use of statistical methods in health sciences research. Descriptive and simple inferential statistics for discrete, continuous and right-censored data. Introduction to linear regression.
This distance-taught paper will introduce students to the use of statistical methods in health sciences research and is highly recommended for all students that want and/or need to analyse quantitative data. Students will learn the theory needed to perform basic descriptive analysis and to begin to understand appropriate statistical methods to quantitative questions. The paper has a strong applied component, and students will learn how the foundations of biostatistics apply to public health. Topics covered include: descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and analysis for epidemiological studies. Students will learn to use Stata, a leading statistical software package in health sciences research. For this paper, students must have a computer with an Internet connection and be computer literate.
About this paper
| Paper title | Applied Biostatistics 1 - Fundamentals |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (3 May 2027 - 25 June 2027) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HASC 413
- Limited to
- MA, MAppSc, MClinPharm, MHealSc, MMLSc, MPH, MPharm, MPHC, MSc, DPH, PGDipAppSc, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipMLSc, PGDipPharm, PGDipSci, PGCertPH, BMLSc(Hons)
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Department of Public Health (Dunedin Campus) : publichealth.dunedin@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Convener: Dr Brett Maclennan
- Paper Structure
Topics:
- Introduction to Biostatistics
- Descriptive Statistics and Graphical Summaries
- Sampling Distributions
- Confidence Intervals
- Hypothesis Testing and Sample Size
- Analysis for epidemiological studies
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
- Compulsory webinar sessions: Tuesday afternoons, 4pm-6pm.
- Block Week (zoom webinars): Monday 3rd May, Tuesday 4th May, Wednesday 5th May, 4pm-6pm.
- Textbooks
- Altman, Douglas G (1990) Practical Statistics for Medical Research.
- Kirkwood, Betty R. & Sterne, Jonathan A. C. (2003), Essential Medical Statistics. 2nd ed.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of types of data and appropriate descriptive statistics and graphical summaries.
- Apply skills in simple data analysis methods and measures of precision and interpreting the results.
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of the statistical issues in research design and data analysis.
- Assessment details
Assessment Structure:
- Online quizzes: 10% of the marks for this course will derive from your engagement with two online Moodle quizzes.
- Assignment 1: This assignment, worth 40% of the mark for the paper, assesses your ability to perform descriptive statistics and to report summaries on high-quality tables and plots. It will cover material up until the end of week 3.
- Assignment 2: This assignment, worth 50% of the mark for the paper, will assess your learning on material covered in the course, with an emphasis on materials covered from week 4.