Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biostatistics
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Introduction
This subject is designed to prepare the students with the necessary tools to critically analyse research papers in the field of biomedical sciences, published in scientific magazines, as well as to provide the students with the means to develop and carry out research projects.
The methodology employed in this subject will consist of theoretical presentations (30%) and case studies and practice in the laboratory with a computer (70%).
Pre-course requirements
None.
Objectives
• Understand the concepts and basic statistical and epidemiological methods in health sciences
• To enable the student to perform basic biostatistical techniques with computer software specific for biostatistics.
• To train students for the critical reading of scientific articles.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
General skills
- Teamwork and responsibility.
- Ability to adapt and decision making.
Specific skills
- Acquisition of skills for the critical reading of the scientific literature.
- Train students to be able to formulate research hypothesis and evaluate scientific information.
- Basic training to develop research projects and presentations of scientific results at conferences.
Syllabus
Block 1: Introduction to research
Introduction to research
Research in medicine and health sciences
Statistical method
Types and description of variables
Block 2: Descriptive statistics
Univariate descriptive statistics:
Frequency distribution
Central tendency measures
Dispersion measures
Position measures
Graphic representation
Shape measures
Bivariate descriptive statistics:
Joint frequency distributions
Marginal frequencies
Conditional frequencies
Association & dependency measures
Regression line
Block 3: Statistical inference
Statistical inference (I):
Basic concepts of probability
Statistical Sampling
Introduction to the inference
Univariate statistical inference (II):
Point estimation
Confidence intervals
Hypothesis testing
Bivariate statistical inference (II):
Difference of two proportions
Differentiates of two means
Correlation and regression line
Block 4: Epidemiology
Introduction to Epidemiology
Types of studies:
Experimental: clinical trial and quasi-experimental
Observational: descriptive, cross-sectional and analytics (case-control and cohort)
Measures of frequency:
Types of measures
Types of rates
Prevalence and incidence
Measures of association:
Relative Risk
Odds Ratio
Prevalence Ratio
Quality of the measures:
Internal and external validity
Types of bias
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
A mixed assessment that will have three components:
1. Continuous assessment of the student (20%) based on the following criteria:
• Work on the different methods of the case (10%)
• Computer practicums (10%)
2. Assessment through a midterm test (30%)
3. Assessment through a theoretical examination (50%).
To pass the course the student has to obtain an average score of 5, with a minimum score of 4 in each one of the three components.
Students who fail the course in the first sitting will have an extraordinary sitting in the month of July that will consist of a practical examination (30% of the mark) and a theoretical examination (70% of the mark). The students who have passed any of the sections (practical and theoretical examinations) will keep the score for the extraordinary sitting.
Bibliography and resources
Basic bibliography
Martínez-González MA, Sánchez-Villegas A, Faulín Fajardo FJ. Bioestadística amigable (2ª ED). Díaz de Santos. Madrid; 2006.
Gordis L. Epidemiología. 3a edición. Ediciones Hancourt S.A., 2005.
Szklo M, Nieto J. Epidemiología intermedia: Conceptos y Aplicaciones. Díaz de Santos; 2003.
Argimon Pallás JM, Jiménez Villa J. Métodos de investigación clínica y epidemiológica. 3 ed. Elsevier España S.A.: Madrid; 2004.
Complementary bibliography
Peña D. Fundamentos en Estadística. 1 ed. Alianza Editorial, S.A.: Madrid; 2001.
Rotman K. Epidemiología moderna. 1 ed. Ediciones Díaz de Santos, S.A.: Madrid; 1986.
Prieto Valiente L, Herranz Tejedor I. ¿Qué significa estadísticamente significativo? 1 ed. Ediciones Díaz de Santos, S.A.: Madrid; 2005.
Piédrola Gil, et al. Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. 10ª Edición. Barcelona: Masson S.A.; 2001.
Evaluation period
- E1 27/05/2021 I3 16:00h
- E2 21/06/2021 11:00h