Health Statistics
Overview
This unit introduces students to the concepts of modern health statistics. Emphasis is given to understanding the importance of using appropriate statistical procedures in analysing health data, accessing, analysing and assessing publicly available Australian and international health datasets, and developing the ability to critically assess health-related reports and journal articles of a statistical nature. Topics and assignments are designed to develop student capability in choosing appropriate statistical measures to investigate and estimate relationships in health data; and design and interpret the results of systematic review and meta-analyses in health-related projects.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe health information systems and how they inform decision making
- Select and apply appropriate statistical methods in health statistics
- Interpret public health-related reports and journal articles
- Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and interpret results
- Write brief reports summarising statistical methods and analysis
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Lecture | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Tutorial | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Various | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 4.50 | 12 weeks | 54 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Examination | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Presentation | Individual | 10% | 2,3,4 |
Content
- Health Informatics
- Interpretation and communication of results
- Modelling binary outcome variables (logistic regression)
- Modelling count variables (Poisson regression)
- Survival analysis and life table
- Sample size calculation
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
- Practical application of survival analysis, sample size calculations and systematic review
- Writing and publishing Scientific Manuscripts
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.