IGIENE E STATISTICA M - ZModule Statistics
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: GIULIANA FAVARAExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with the basic concepts to develop statistical and methodological skills applied to the analysis of biomedical phenomena under investigation. Students will acquire knowledge of the main tools for collecting, measuring, and processing biomedical data. Furthermore, students will gain the ability to independently explore advanced topics in medical statistics and their related applications.
Course Structure
The course includes classroom lectures with continuous encouragement for interaction with students, as well as in-class and laboratory exercises to develop the ability to apply the knowledge gained during the course. In the event that teaching is conducted in a blended or remote mode, necessary variations may be introduced compared to what has been previously stated in order to adhere to the planned program as outlined in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended. Attendance in lectures is, however, required in order to participate in the exercises and the midterm examination.
Detailed Course Content
Basic concepts and objectives of statistics. Data collection methods. Types of biological variables. Data tabulation and graphical representation.
Descriptive statistics. Measures of central tendency (mean, mode, median, quartiles, percentiles). Measures of variability: range, deviation, variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation.
Bivariate analysis and causal relationships between variables.
The concept of covariance. Pearson's correlation coefficient: values, limits, and properties.
Concepts of causality and dependence. Dependency analysis. Regression analysis.
Probability calculation. The concept of an event. Operations on events. Venn diagrams. Conditional probability. Application of probability in the biomedical field: Bayes' theorem.
Inferential statistics. Hypothesis testing, statistical significance, P-value. Parametric and non-parametric tests for independent and dependent data. Statistical tests for quantitative variables: Z-test, T-test, ANOVA. Statistical tests for categorical variables: Chi-squared test.
Textbook Information
BIOSTATISTICA, M. Pagano - K. Gauvreau, Editore: Idelson-Gnocchi
Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website.
Course Planning
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Data collection methods. Types of biological variables. Data tabulation and graphical representations. | Chapters 2 and 22. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
2 | Indices of central tendency and variability. | Chapter 3. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
3 | The concept of covariance. | Chapter 17. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
4 | Concepts of causality and dependence. | Chapters 18 and 20. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
5 | Probability calculation. | Chapter 6. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
6 | Inferential statistics. | Chapter 10. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
7 | Statistical tests for quantitative variables. | Chapter 15. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
8 | Statistical tests for categorical variables. | Chapter 11. Specially prepared material will be distributed during the course of the lectures and made available on the Studium website. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Test in itinere. Written and oral exams
The highest grade will be assigned to the student who has demonstrated mastery of the topics, ability to apply knowledge, communication skills and mastery of the disciplinary vocabulary.
Verification of learning can also be carried out by an online platform, if needed.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
1. Calculate the mean, mode, and median of a set of numerical data.
2. For each type of variable listed below, provide an example considering biological phenomena:
Nominal qualitative variable_____________________________________
Ordinal qualitative variable _______________________________________
Discrete quantitative variable _______________________________________
Contuous quantitative variable _______________________________________