HASC413 Biostatistics

Essential analytical methods necessary for health-related research: data description, basic probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, sample size calculation, epidemiological measures of association, and simple linear regression. A knowledge of basic algebra is recommended.

This paper provides an introduction to the use of statistical methods to answer specific research questions in health-related areas.

Paper title	Biostatistics
Paper code	HASC413
Subject	Health Sciences
EFTS	0.125
Points	15 points
Teaching period	First Semester (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,254.88
International Tuition Fees (NZD)	$5,337.00

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Limited to

MHealSc, MPharm, MSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipMLSc, PGDipSci, PGDipPharm

Eligibility

Suitable for students who are interested in upgrading their statistical skills for carrying out health-related quantitative research.

Contact

jimmy.zeng@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Convenor and Lecturer: Jiaxu Zeng

Paper Structure

This paper covers the following main topics:

1. Introduction to biostatistics
2. Descriptive statistics and graphical summaries
3. Introduction to probability
4. Probability distributions
5. Sampling distributions
6. Confidence intervals
7. Hypothesis testing
8. Power and sample size calculation
9. Introduction to epidemiological studies
10. Critical appraisal of health research

Textbooks

Altman, Douglas G (1990) Practical Statistics for Medical Research

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Perform basic statistical analyses to address simple research questions using a statistical software package (Stata)
2. Understand the principles behind basic statistical analyses
3. Understand how to interpret and present basic statistical analyses

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Course Coordinator

Dr Jimmy Zeng

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Overview

This paper will emphasise computer data analysis with the goal of providing students with the tools for basic analysis of their research projects, including statistical aspects of study design, data description, handling data on a computer, using a statistical software package, and carrying out and interpreting simple statistical analyses. Familiarity with basic mathematical concepts is essential.

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Objectives

Following completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand important statistical concepts and terminology
• Understand the basic statistical framework used in the design and analysis of health related studies
• Use a computer software package for elementary data analysis
• Complete a detailed statistical analysis of a simple study
• Critically appraise scientific research from a statistical perspective
• Understand the principles behind more complex statistical analyses

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