TM5516 - Biostatistics for Public Health

Available to all postgraduate students in health science programs.

Biostatistics for public health is an introductory level course that covers the basic data analytical skills for analysing health data. Topics include: the elementary theory of probability; diagnostic tests; data exploration and presentation; theoretical and empirical distributions; measures of central tendency and dispersion; basic principles of statistical inference; principles of hypothesis tests; confidence intervals; common bivariate statistical tests; linear correlation and regression; and multiple linear regression. Theory is complemented by the use of applied examples and exercises to enhance understanding and facilitate development of practical skills. Being able to read and evaluate health literature is essential for health professionals, especially those in public health. Some computer literacy is assumed (e.g. Windows, Word, Excel). Students will be introduced to the statistical software package, SPSS (IBM SPSS, Chicago, Illinois). Numeracy skills are essential for the successful completion of this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• critically engage with the conduct and interpretation of research in public health and tropical medicine using fundamental biostatistical principles;
• integrate theoretical and technical biostatistical knowledge to recognise, manage, describe and summarise data using the appropriate graphical and numerical methods;
• demonstrate expertise and judgement to identify the appropriate statistical inferential methods for research questions in public health and tropical medicine, and make appropriate use of the statistical software SPSS;
• work collaboratively, cooperatively and ethically within a team in the design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of an identified research question(s) in public health and tropical medicine.

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (50%) - Individual
• Written > Workbook - (25%) - Individual
• Part A - Presentation; Part B - Final Report - (25%) - Group.

Special Assessment Requirements

Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more; Students must obtain a pass mark for the three quizzes combined (not each individual quiz).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.