DATA ANALYSIS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Knowledge and understanding

The course provides specific knowledge of methods and techniques for addressing the main Public Health issues. Particularly, at the end of the course, students are expected to have: i) good knowledge of tools and methods to raise question and to set objectives of their research; ii) thorough knowledge of statistical methods and informatics tools for developing the statistical analysis plan and for interpreting results; iii) communication skills using Public Health language and knowledge of biomedical context. These skills are gained through active and interactive lessons, seminars, laboratories and exercises, and through studying teaching material.

Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students must be able: i) to participate in the development of the study protocol by providing their skills instudy design, data collection and statistical methods; ii) to analyze data using the most appropriate models, machine learning tools, and sophisticated algorithms to address the main issues for Public Health research and practice; iii) Students gain these skills through literature search, laboratories and exercises on specific data analysis methods and tools.

Making judgements

The course provides judgment skills for interpreting results and for identifying strengths and weaknesses of research. These skills are gained through interaction with teacher and colleagues.

Communication skills

At the end of the course, students must be able: i) to report and to discuss methods and results of their study to Public Health professionals and other stakeholders; ii) to communicate results through final reports and research articles, using Public Health language in Italian and/or English.

Learning skills

The course aims to provide skills to be able to apply the acquired knowledge directly and with autonomy. These skills are acquired through active participation in seminars/exercises and also through the interaction with teacher and colleagues.

The course includes lectures in which continuous interaction with the students is encouraged and exercises in the classroom and in the laboratory to develop the ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course.

• Public Health for the translation from basic science into prevention, promotion of health and policies
• Epidemiological Methodology: basic principles
• Database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses
• The role of data analysis in modern public health research and practice
• Selecting and evaluating appropriate study design and methods of analysis  
• Methods and approaches to formulate and examine statistical associations between variables
• Interpret the output of the analysis and evaluate the role of chance and bias
• Reporting and communication of results

1. La Torre G. Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics. SEEd; 2010. ISBN 9788889688496.