Statistics as Applied To Health
| Module title | Statistics as Applied To Health |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM054Z |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Fiona Warren (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 5 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 16 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides an introduction to statistical concepts and methods relevant to health research. You will develop your understanding of these concepts/methods enabling you to interpret the statistical aspects of research studies and published papers.
Module aims - intentions of the module
You will learn to recognise the most commonly encountered types of data in health research and learn which statistical methods are appropriate to summarise such data and make statistical inferences. You will be able to interpret the findings of published research and critically appraise the choice of statistical methods in those papers. You will understand the concepts relevant to the pooling of study findings across research papers and understand the factors that need to be taken into consideration when calculating the number of participants required in a research study.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of how descriptive statistics and inferential statistics are applied in health research, and understand how to interpret the results of statistical analyses in the context of health research.
- 2. Understand the differences between meta-analysis methods, and understand what information is required to inform a sample size calculation.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically appraise the difference between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
- 4. Critically examine methods to summarise different types of data using numbers and graphs (descriptive statistics), and demonstrate a critical awareness of the two main modes of statistical inference: estimation (confidence intervals) and hypothesis testing (p-values).
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically interpret findings of statistical analyses reported in research papers.
- 6. Critically appraise the choice of statistical methods and their application in research.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Types of variable/levels of measurement; summarising data; probability; Normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing and p-values; t-test; analysis of variance; non-parametric tests; measures of effect for binary outcomes (risk difference, odds ratio, relative risk); chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test; correlation; linear regression; logistic regression; meta-analysis; sample size calculation.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 114 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 36 | Lectures (online e.g. using MS Teams), short online video presentations on ELE, seminars (online e.g. using MS Teams), practical exercises (online e.g. using MS Teams or via ELE), group discussion using ELE forum. |
| Guided independent study | 70 | Web-based learning, resource gathering, and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery. |
| Guided independent study | 44 | Preparation for and completion of assessment. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exercises | Throughout | 1-6 | Verbal |
| Written exam | 1 hour | 1,3-4 | Exam mark, specimen answers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework assessment: critical evaluation of statistical aspects of two published papers | 100 | 2500 words | 1,2,5-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework assessment: critical evaluation of statistical aspects of two published papers (100%) | Coursework assessment (2500 words) | 1,2,5-6 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended textbooks:
1. Betty R. Kirkwood & Jonathan A. C. Sterne. Essential Medical Statistics. Blackwell.
2. Janet L. Peacock, Sally M. Kerry, and Raymond R. Balise, Presenting Medical Statistics from Proposal to Publication (2 ed.). Oxford University Press.
A full list of recommended resources will be available of the University of Exeter’s electronic learning environment (ELE, http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/systems/ele/)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE, http://as.exeter.ac.uk/it/systems/ele/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Last revision date | 23/02/2022 |
