Biostatistics
Matter: PHYSICS AND STATISTICS
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
This subject is oriented to prepare the students with the necessary tools to critically analyze research papers, which can be of interest in the field of biomedical sciences, published in scientific magazines. As well as, provide to the students instruments so that they can elaborate and carry out projects of investigation.
The methodology employed in this subject will consist in theoretical presentations (30%) and methods of the case and practical in laboratory with computer (70%).
No previous criteria are needed to take this subject.
• Understand the concepts and basic statistical and epidemiological methods in health sciences
• To enable the student to perform basic biostatistical techniques with a computer software specific for biostatistics.
• To train students for critical reading of scientific articles.
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.
Block 1: Introduction to research
Introduction to research
Research in Medicine and Health Sciences
Statistical method
Types and description of variable
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 stimation
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
A mixed evaluation, that will have three components:
1. Continuous assessment of the student (20%) based on the following criteria:
• Works of the distinct methods of the case (10%)
• Computer practicums (10%)
2. Evaluation by means of midterm test (30%)
3. Evaluation by means of a theoretical examination type test (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 ordinary announcement will have an extraordinary announcement in the month of July that will consist in a practical examination (30% of the note) and a theoretical examination type test (70% of the note). The students that have pass any of the parts (practical examination and theoretical) will conserve the score for the extraordinary announcement.
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.
E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session: