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 | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,311.38 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MHealSc, MPharm, MSc, PGDipHealSc, PGDipMLSc, PGDipSci, PGDipPharm, BMLSc(Hons)
- 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:
- Introduction to biostatistics
- Descriptive analysis
- Introduction to diagnostic testing
- Probability distributions
- Sampling distributions
- Confidence intervals
- Hypothesis testing
- Power and sample size calculation
- Introduction to epidemiological studies
- 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
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Perform basic statistical analyses to address simple research questions using a statistical software package (Stata)
- Understand the principles behind basic statistical analyses
- Understand how to interpret and present basic statistical analyses
