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PHM553 - Biostatistics

2023

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Public Health Research

Unit Description

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of essential statistical concepts and their application to epidemiological studies. The emphasis of this unit is the application of appropriate statistical methods and interpretation of analyses, rather than the technical and computing aspects. Upon completion of this unit a student will be able to read and interpret the statistical elements of the public health literature more competently.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Carry out data analysis using a statistical software package.
2.	Apply appropriate descriptive statistical techniques to present and summarise data, and interpret the results.
3.	Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for means, rates and proportions.
4.	Carry out standard tests to compare means, rates and proportions and interpret the p values.
5.	Choose an appropriate analysis method when data is not normally distributed.
6.	Explain how the study design and research question relate to the method of analysis.
7.	Identify and explain the ingredients of sample size and power calculations for simple study designs.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Online Discussions x 1	5%	2 - Apply appropriate descriptive statistical techniques to present and summarise data, and interpret the results. 3 - Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for means, rates and proportions. 6 - Explain how the study design and research question relate to the method of analysis.
2.	Short Answer Questions - based on topics 1-4	25%	1 - Carry out data analysis using a statistical software package. 2 - Apply appropriate descriptive statistical techniques to present and summarise data, and interpret the results. 3 - Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for means, rates and proportions. 4 - Carry out standard tests to compare means, rates and proportions and interpret the p values.
3.	Short Answer Questions - based on topics 4-8	30%	1 - Carry out data analysis using a statistical software package. 2 - Apply appropriate descriptive statistical techniques to present and summarise data, and interpret the results. 3 - Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for means, rates and proportions. 4 - Carry out standard tests to compare means, rates and proportions and interpret the p values. 5 - Choose an appropriate analysis method when data is not normally distributed.
4.	Short Answer Questions - based on topics 8-12	40%	1 - Carry out data analysis using a statistical software package. 2 - Apply appropriate descriptive statistical techniques to present and summarise data, and interpret the results. 3 - Calculate and interpret confidence intervals for means, rates and proportions. 4 - Carry out standard tests to compare means, rates and proportions and interpret the p values. 6 - Explain how the study design and research question relate to the method of analysis. 7 - Identify and explain the ingredients of sample size and power calculations for simple study designs.

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2023	Semester 2	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2023	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR

* Timetable will be displayed in new tab or window depending on your browser's configuration; ensure Pop-ups are allowed for this site to view the timetable.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
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2023 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)