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Biostatistics
Postgraduate | ACU-PUBH620 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- -
FEE-HELP available
Biostatistics
About this subject
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate specialised knowledge of statistical concepts and their application to public health practice
- Distinguish between different statistical tests, especially in terms of application and interpretation
- Perform appropriate statistical analysis using common statistical software and interpret the results
- Develop a sound statistical approach to the analysis and interpretation of public health data and communicate findings in an academic-standard output
- Critique public health research on the basis of its statistical methods, analysis and interpretation
- Fundamental statistical concepts and methods
- Types and levels of measurement of quantitative data and measures of central tendency and variability
- Probability distributions
- Hypothesis testing
- Statistical confidence: confidence intervals, p-values, statistical vs practical significance
- Common statistical tests: comparison of means (between two or more dependent or independent groups), proportions
- Variability and statistical inference; power and sample size; bias, confounding and adjustment
- Application to public health practice
- Key measures of association in public health: relative risk, attributable risk, odds ratios
- Inferential statistics: correlation, linear regression, logistic regression, analysis of variance
- Use of statistical software to analyse quantitative datasets: common statistical tests
- Writing up statistical analyses: interpretation, requirements for expressing statistical results
- Critical appraisal of statistical methods in public health research: common tools and approaches
Understanding, using and interpreting statistics is crucial to public health research and practice, particularly in monitoring health outcomes and decision-making processes about interventions. This subject will develop students’ knowledge of fundamental statistical concepts, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, common statistical tests and statistical methods commonly used in public health. This will include hypothesis testing, estimation, associations, modelling relationships and prediction using different methods such as regression analyses. Throughout the subject, students will consolidate their understanding of statistical theory through its application to practice. While there are some formulae and computational elements to the subject, the emphasis is on interpretation and concepts. Besides the theoretical material, this subject will also enable students to run basic analyses using common statistical software. Using this software, students will analyse simulated public health datasets and then interpret the results obtained. Statistical understanding and analytical expertise developed by students during the subject will then be applied to practice through critical appraisal statistical methods used in public health research
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. In order to successfully complete this unit, students need to complete and submit three graded assessment tasks and obtain an aggregate mark of greater than 50%. PUBH620 involves assessment tasks designed to introduce students to the broad range of activity involved in biostatistics. In the first assessment piece, students are required to demonstrate their understanding by analyzing a public health dataset. In Assessment 2, students are required to apply their applied biostatistical skills by preparing a manuscript for a peer reviewed journal. Finally, students will reflect on how biostatistical knowledge will shape their practice in public health.
- Analysis of simulated public health dataset (30%)
- Preparation Statistical methods and analysis for peer-reviewed journal artical (30%)
- Biostatistics reflective practice and critique exercises (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
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- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
- Software requirements - An agreement has been negotiated with the software provider to provide a one calendar year SPSS licence for $45. Information on how to access this software will be made available at the first lecture. Students are reminded to regularly work through the SPSS practice analysis each week so that the assessment tasks can be completed in a timely fashion.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.