Application of Biostatistics to Epidemiology Module Details

Module Description
This module introduces students to different types of data and analysis involved in epidemiological research and highlights the importance of the different statistical approaches.

Module Aim
The module aims to provide students with the necessary statistical tools to undertake epidemiological research and interpret epidemiological studies including using informatics techniques and to appreciate their significance for the reduction of negative health outcomes and improving the health of the populations.

Module Learning Outcomes
After completion of the module, students should be able to:
1.    Examine different types of variables in epidemiological research.
2.    Examine different frequency distributions and describe the normal distribution and its statistical qualities
3.    Describe, apply, and interpret random error, statistical significance (p-value and Confidence Intervals), study power, and Type I and II errors. 
4.    Load, clean, modify, and manage data using the ‘R’ statistical software programme.
5.    Describe and apply different descriptive statistics for different research scenarios.
6.    Describe the concept of the dependent and the independent variable and how these are used for determining the presence of associations.
7.    Use R to undertake a full range of statistical analyses i.e. t-test and ANOVA, scatterplots and correlation analysis, chi-squared test, non-parametric statistical tests, linear regressions, multiple regressions, logistic regression, analysis.
8.    Apply health informatics in interpreting data and decision making.