Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Research Skills and Critical Thinking in Biostatistics
Course Code
SL_130
Branch of Science
Mathematics; Theory of probability and mathematical statistics
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Life Science
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ieva Reine
Structure Unit Manager
Andrejs Ivanovs
Structural Unit
Statistics Unit
Contacts
14 Balozu street, Block A, Riga, +371 67060897, statistika@rsu.lv, www.rsu.lv/statlab
About Study Course
Objective
The course describes and explains the underlying concepts and methods of epidemiology with apt examples and statistical illustrations. All the essentials are included: the person-population dyad, variation, error, bias, confounding, causality, the spectrum of disease, the “iceberg” concept, risk and its relationship to disease frequency, study design, and, finally, some thoughts about the way the discipline of has evolved and is likely to continue to evolve in the lifetime of those now entering upon the careers in this field.
The course aims to introduce biostatistics in medical science with an emphasis on theory, ideas, and epidemiological axioms. The course incorporates numerous challenging exercises, some of them requiring basic mathematical concepts and calculations. The course aims to provide practical applications of biostatistics in medical science. Examples drawn are from contemporary research and public health practice, including health-care policy and planning. The objective is that the student will acquire the depth of knowledge to use concepts and merely to be aware of them. The emphasis is on gaining on understanding, and not calculations, except where this is essential to understanding.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge in statistics and basic concepts in medical science.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students will be able to search, select and read scientific publications in biostatistics in medical science, and critically assess contemporary research and public health practice, including health-care policy and planning. The course will provide knowledge to use concepts of epidemiology and merely to be aware of them, providing the basis for creative research, including work in different areas.
Skills
1.The students will be able to independently apply social science theories, concepts, and methods to public health practice and policy making as well as use relevant statistical methods. The student will also be able to use the biostatistics toolbox with a proper understanding of the purposes, theories, principles, and pitfalls of epidemiology. The obtained skills include use of statistical methods in cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, the choice of an appropriate theoretical and statistical model, and interpretation of the obtained results.
Competences
1.The student will possess profound knowledge to understand the data and choose the best methods for statistical assessment and conduct studies of her/his own. The student will also be able to analyse and interpret results of different types of studies and including those of an experimental and quasi-experimental nature, frequently used in medical research, to take responsibility for the results and analysis of his/her work.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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• Read and analyze the compulsory literature in preparation to weekly lectures and practical classes and to pass the final exam.
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Examination
|
Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
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|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
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|
For an approved grade on the course, the student shall:
• Pass the final exam which includes theoretical knowledge test and calculation tasks (pass is at least 75% of the exam tasks).
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The nature, scope, variables, principal measures, and designs of a biological, clinical social, and ecological science; examples, sample questions
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The nature, scope, variables, principal measures, and designs of a biological, clinical social, and ecological science; examples, sample questions
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Variation in disease by time, place, and person, Reasons for analysing disease variations
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Variation in disease by time, place, and person, Reasons for analysing disease variations
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Error, bias and confounding in epidemiology
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
A practical application of the research chronology schema of bias and error
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cause and effect, exercises
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The unmeasured burden of disease: the metamorphs of the iceberg and the pyramid
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Screening: early diagnosis of disease or disease precursors, sample questions, exercises
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept of risk and fundamental measures of disease frequency: incidence and prevalence
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The concept of risk and fundamental measures of disease frequency: incidence and prevalence
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Summarising, presenting an interpreting data, exercises
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Summarising, presenting an interpreting data, exercises
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Disability-adjusted life years and quality-adjusted life years
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Methods and techniques of biostatistics in medical sciences
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Case series: clinical and population-based register and administrative system studies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cross-sectional, Case-control and Cohort studies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cross-sectional, Case-control and Cohort studies
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Trials: population-based clinical and public health experiments
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Trials: population-based clinical and public health experiments
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Trials: population-based clinical and public health experiments
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Quasi-experimental designs, Ecological studies
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Quasi-experimental designs, Ecological studies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Data analysis and interpretations: underpinning questions, exercises
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
The nature, scope, variables, principal measures, and designs of a biological, clinical social, and ecological science; examples, sample questions
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Variation in disease by time, place, and person, Reasons for analysing disease variations
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Error, bias and confounding in epidemiology
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
A practical application of the research chronology schema of bias and error
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Cause and effect, exercises
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
The unmeasured burden of disease: the metamorphs of the iceberg and the pyramid
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Screening: early diagnosis of disease or disease precursors, sample questions, exercises
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
The concept of risk and fundamental measures of disease frequency: incidence and prevalence
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
The concept of risk and fundamental measures of disease frequency: incidence and prevalence
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Summarising, presenting an interpreting data, exercises
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Summarising, presenting an interpreting data, exercises
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Disability-adjusted life years and quality-adjusted life years
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Methods and techniques of biostatistics in medical sciences
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Case series: clinical and population-based register and administrative system studies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Cross-sectional, Case-control and Cohort studies
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Trials: population-based clinical and public health experiments
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Quasi-experimental designs, Ecological studies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
1
|
Topics
|
Data analysis and interpretations: underpinning questions, exercises
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
18 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Clayton, David; Hills, Michael. Statistical models in epidemiology. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2013.Suitable for English stream
2.
Bhopal, R.S. Concepts of epidemiology: Integrating the ideas, theories, and methods of epidemiology. 2016, 3rd edition.Suitable for English stream
3.
Brauer, F. Mathematical epidemiology: Past, present, and future. 2017.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Kirkwood BR. Essentials of Medical Statistics. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2003.Suitable for English stream
2.
Dawson B, Trapp R. Basic & Clinical Biostatistics. 4th edition. McGraw-Hill Medical, 2004.Suitable for English stream
3.
Woodward M. Epidemiology: Study Design and Data Analysis. 2nd edition. Chapman & Hall, 2004.Suitable for English stream
4.
Campbell, MJ, Machin, D. Medical statistics. A commonsense approach. 1993.Suitable for English stream