Quantitative Methods in Health

Course aim

To enable the student to describe and critically appraise the research methodology of a scientific journal article and to develop basic data management, statistical analysis skills using appropriate computer software, and basic mathematical concepts required for health service provision.

Course content

Overview of research methodology, nature of scientific theory and knowledge, formulating hypotheses, measurement processes, reliability and validity, levels of measurement, specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic processes, types of experimental design, internal and external validity, study power.
Using a software package for entering and analysing data, describing data with graphical and numerical summaries, statistical inference including statistical modelling, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, choice of statistical techniques including non-parametric techniques, hypothesis testing, p values, confidence intervals.
A range of statistical procedures including correlation and regression, t tests and their non-parametric alternatives, chi square test, analysis of variance for same and different subject designs and the non-parametric alternative, factorial analysis of variance including repeated measures.
Differential calculus to enable basic pharmacokinetic calculations.

Textbook(s)

Triola M.M and Triola M.F. 2003, Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences, Pearson, New Jersey

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Assignment, Examination, Quiz, Report

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.