Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 26/27.R.2.00

Description Period: 2026./27 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Methods of Mathematical Statistics in Health Sciences I

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SL_043
Branch of Science
Mathematics; Theory of probability and mathematical statistics
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medicine; Pharmacy
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Māra Grēve
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

To provide knowledge of the basic concepts of statistics; create awareness of the role of evidence-based medicine in health care.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics and informatics is required.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.To describe basic statistical concepts and terminology.

2.To explain commonly used basic data processing and statistical analysis methods.

3.To recognise the application of statistical methods and the presentation of statistical results in scientific publications.

Skills

1.To prepare, structure and enter data in Jamovi software.

2.To select statistical methods appropriate to the research objectives and data type.

3.To perform statistical hypothesis tests in Jamovi.

4.To present statistical analysis results in APA style.

Competences

1.To critically evaluate the suitability of statistical methods for solving data analysis problems.

2.To independently perform statistical data analysis for simple research projects using Jamovi software.

3.To interpret statistical analysis results and apply them to formulate evidence-based conclusions.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
-
-

Independent study includes reviewing course materials and recommended resources, installing and learning the basic use of Jamovi software, revising examples demonstrated during classes, and using video materials to reinforce learning. Students evaluate the applicability of statistical methods to their own academic or research projects and prepare questions related to data analysis solutions.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

Assessment is cumulative and consists of:

  1. Homework assignment: Data measurement scales (10%).
  2. Homework assignment: Descriptive statistics and one-sample statistical tests (15%).
  3. Homework assignment: Parametric and non-parametric tests for independent and dependent samples (25%).
  4. Examination tasks (40%).
  5. Examination discussion (10%).

Homework assignments and examination tasks are completed remotely within the specified time limits. The examination discussion is conducted individually via Zoom (up to 20 minutes), with students selecting a suitable time slot from the available options. During the examination discussion, students are expected to justify their solutions, demonstrate understanding of the statistical methods used, and interpret the obtained results. If the examination discussion is assessed as unsuccessful, the examination tasks must be retaken onsite without the use of supplementary aids.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

The role of statistics in research. Basic statistical concepts. Principles of descriptive and inferential statistics.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introduction to the Jamovi statistical software. Data preparation for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Computer room
3

Topics

One-sample statistical tests.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Computer room
3

Topics

Statistical tests for independent observations. Parametric and nonparametric tests.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Computer room
3

Topics

Statistical tests for dependent observations. Parametric and nonparametric tests.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Computer room
3

Topics

Data analysis of student data or database data.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Petrie, A., Sabin, C. Medical Statistics at a Glance. 4th edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 2020.

2.

Peat, J., Barton, B. Medical Statistics: A Guide to SPSS, Data Analysis and Critical Appraisal. 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2014. (pēdējais iznākušais izdevums)

3.

Field, A. Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics. 4th edition, Sage Publications, 2024.

Additional Reading

1.

Simpson, S. H. 2015. Creating a Data Analysis Plan: What to Consider When Choosing Statistics for a Study. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 68(4): 311–317. DOI: 10.4212/cjhp.v68i4.1471Suitable for English stream

2.

Koo, T. K., Li, M. Y. 2016. A Guideline of Selecting and Reporting Intraclass Correlation coefficients for Reliability Research. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 15(2), 155–163. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.02.012Suitable for English stream

3.

Greenland, S., Senn, S. J., Rothman, K. J., Carlin, J. B., Poole, C., Goodman, S., N., and Altman, D. G. 2016. Statistical tests, P values, confidence intervals, and power: a guide to misinterpretations. Eur J Epidemiol. 31(4): 337-350. DOI: 10.1007/s10654-016-0149-3.Suitable for English stream

4.

Andrade, C. 2016. Understanding relative risk, odds ratio, and related terms: as simple as it can get. J. Clin Psychiatry. 76(7): 857-861. DOI: 10.4088/JCP.15f10150.Suitable for English stream

5.

Hopkins, S., Dettori, J. R., Chapman, J. R. 2018. Parametric and Nonparametric Tests in Spine Research: Why Do They Matter? Global Spine J. 8(6): 652–654. DOI: 10.1177/2192568218782679Suitable for English stream

6.

Nahm, F. S. 2016. Nonparametric statistical tests for the continuous data: the basic concept and the practical use. Korean J. Anesthesiol. 69(1): 8–14. DOI: 10.4097/kjae.2016.69.1.8Suitable for English stream

7.

Schober, P., Vetter, T. R. 2021. Linear Regression in Medical Research. Anesth Analg. 132(1):108-109. DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000005206.Suitable for English stream

8.

Charan, J., Biswas, T. 2013. How to Calculate Sample Size for Different Study Designs in Medical Research? Indian J Psychol Med. 35(2): 121–126. DOI: 10.4103/0253-7176.116232Suitable for English stream

Other Information Sources

1.

Laerd Statistics.Suitable for English stream