Inference Methods in Biostatistics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

The following subject may be taken concurrently

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
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This subject provides the foundation theory and methods needed for biostatisticians to apply and critically interpret statistical inference, the science of drawing conclusions from data that are subject to variability. Major topics include review of the key concepts of estimation including sampling variability and construction of confidence intervals; null hypothesis testing; methods of inference based on likelihood theory (Fisher and observed information, likelihood ratio, Wald and score tests); and an introduction to the Bayesian approach to inference. The approach will emphasise a critical understand¬ing of the role of statistical inference in health research.

To provide a strong mathematical and conceptual foundation in the methods of statistical inference, with an emphasis on practical aspects of the interpretation and communication of statistically based conclusions in health research.

• Practical exercise 1 (approx 4 hours of work, approx 600 words, no more than 4 pages) due in Week 6 (10%)
• Practical exercise 2 (approx 4 hours of work, approx 600 words, no more than 4 pages) due in Week 7 (10%)
• Major assignment 1 (approx 10 hours of work, approx 1900 words, no more than 10 pages) due in Week 9 (30%)
• Practical exercise 3 (approx 4 hours of work, approx 600 words, no more than 4 pages) due in Week 11 (10%)
• Major assignment 2 (approx 12 hours of work, approx 2300 words, no more than 12 pages) due in Week 12 (40%)

Marschner IC. Inference Principles for Biostatisticians. CRC Press, 2015.

Special Computer Requirements: Stata Statistical Software

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Independent problem solving,
• Facility with abstract reasoning,
• Clarity of written expression,
• Sound communication of technical concepts