Statistics as Applied to Health
| Module title | Statistics as Applied to Health |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM054 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Fiona Warren (Convenor) |
| 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; standard scores, confidence intervals; hypothesis testing and p-values; t-test; analysis of variance; non-parametric tests; measures of effect for binary outcomes (risk ratio, odds ratio, relative risk); chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test; correlation; linear regression; logistic regression; survival analysis; 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 110 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 12 | Lectures, seminars, master-classes to enhance learning through introduction to key topics, specialist areas and role models and diversity of contexts and outcomes. |
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 28 | Group discussions, practical exercises, simulated case-studies and engagement with real-world scenarios to foster experiential learning with opportunities for peer and tutor feedback |
| Guided independent study | 66 | Web-based learning, resource gathering, and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery. |
| Guided independent study | 44 | Preparation for and completion of assessments. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical exercises | Throughout | 1-6 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | 25 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 25 | 1 hour | 1,3,4 | Exam mark |
| Coursework assessment | 75 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Exam mark and written feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam (25%) | Written exam (1 hour) | 1,3,4 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
| Coursework assessment (75%) | Coursework assessment (2500 words) | 1-6 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
The format of the exam will be the same as for the original summative assessment, i.e. following the same exam question structure, but using different worked examples. The exam will be undertaken during the University’s agreed referral/deferral period.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
B.R. Kirkwood and J.A. Sterne (2003), Essential Medical Statistics, Blackwell.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
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/)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/12/2016 |
| Last revision date | 09/07/2019 |
