Experimental Design and Data Analysis

Subject 620-168 (2008)

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Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory classes.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 one-hour lectures (three per week), 11 one-hour tutorials (one per week), 11 one-hour computer laboratory classes (one per week).
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Students may only gain credit for one of [07]620-152, 620-159, [07]620-160 or 620-168. Students who have completed 620-202, 620-270 or 620-272 may not enrol in this subject for credit.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

A/Prof R Watson
Subject Overview:

This subject provides an understanding of the fundamental concepts of probability and statistics required for experimental design and data analysis in the health sciences. Initially the subject introduces common study designs, random sampling and randomised trials as well as numerical and visual methods of summarising data. It then focuses on understanding population characteristics such as means, variances, proportions, risk ratios, odds ratios, rates, prevalence, and measures used to assess the diagnostic value of a clinical test. Finally, after determining the sampling distributions of some common statistics, confidence intervals will be used to estimate these population characteristics and statistical tests of hypotheses will be developed. The presentation and interpretation of the results from statistical analyses of typical health research studies will be emphasised.

The statistical methods will be implemented using a standard statistical computing package and illustrated on applications from the health sciences.

Assessment: Up to 36 pages of written assignments 15% (due during the semester); a 45-minute computer-based test 5% (held during semester); a 3-hour written examination 80% (held in the examination period).
Prescribed Texts: M. M. Triola and M. F. Triola, Biostatistics for the Biological and Health Sciences, Boston, Pearson, 2006.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in the health sciences, they will have the opportunity to develop, generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:
  • problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies;
  • analytical skills: the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis;
  • collaborative skills: the ability to work in a team;
  • time-management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments; and
  • This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine degree.
Notes: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine degree.

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