This short course provides an introduction to basic concepts in statistics and the main epidemiological methods used to identify and quantify disease and associated risks. Students will develop critical understanding of published research in health care related areas and be able to discuss and interpret quantitative results from such.
Statistical subjects covered will include: types of data and data presentation, descriptive statistics, basic probability, distribution theory including the normal distribution and its properties, sampling theory, inferential statistics, analysis of categorical and continuous data, non-parametric tests, correlation and regression.
Students will be introduced to descriptive epidemiology, measures and comparisons of disease frequency, ecological studies, cross-sectional studies, prevalence studies, case-control studies, principles of screening, study design and questionnaires and qualitative research methods.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the short course students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the main techniques used to investigate the epidemiology of the important causes of death and ill health
- Identify, interpret and discuss appropriate epidemiological study designs to address population health questions
- Interpret and discuss the import of epidemiological and statistical information that they have collected themselves, or that has been presented by others.
Assessment
1500 word assignment (50%)
1 hour written unseen exam (50%)
Course Lead
Prof Hugh Rickards