Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Biostatistics
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
Adrián González
agonzalezm@uic.es
Introduction
In Health Sciences, researchers study phenomena affected by variability. Clinical observation and the search for responses create the necessity to measure, order and systematize data to subsequently apply laws and extrapolate the obtained results to the study population, thus drawing conclusions for better clinical practice. Biostatistics is the science, that with scientific rigor, gives us the quantitative tools to reach this goal. Besides, it is necessary to perform analyses and critical readings of scientific literature and to promote clinical practices based on scientific evidence.
Pre-course requirements
No necessary
Objectives
- To know the most frequent basic statistical concepts and methods in Health Sciences and their applications.
- To qualify the student to carry out the basic biostatistical analyses with statistical software.
- To qualify the student to critically appraise scientific articles.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01RA - Identify health problems in the field of emergencies and health emergencies that can be investigated.
- CN04RA - Identify the quantitative and qualitative tools and methods necessary for the design and development of a research study in the clinical field of emergencies.
- CP02RA - Communicate clinical findings, health outcomes and/or research project in new, specialized and non-specialized settings clearly and unambiguously.
- CP03RA - Design advanced research projects on clinical aspects capable of generating new and specific knowledge for disciplinary, professional and institutional development, considering the differences in the expression of diseases in men and women and the consequent health care and treatment needs.
- HB03 - Demostrar iniciativa y proactividad por parte del alumnado de manera autònoma y autodirigida en el proceso de aprendizaje mediante la capacidad de investigar, analizar información, sintetizar conocimientos y resolver problemas
- HB05RA - Demonstrate the use of tools related to information and communication technologies and their application to specific fields of knowledge
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Recognize the conceptual bases, guidelines on the measurement of results and the use of questionnaires or instruments in scientific evaluation in the field of health.
Syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction to biostatistics
- Types of variables
- Sample and population
- Frequency tables
- Measures of central tendency
- Measures of dispersion
- Measures of position
- Measures of shape
Graphical representation of data
Bidimensional descriptive statistics
- Contingency tables
- Correlation and introduction to regression
Unit 3.
Statistical inference:
- Point estimate and confidence intervals
- Hypothesis testing
- Inference for one variable
- Inference for two variables
Teaching and learning activities
In blended
- Self-learning activities
- Individual Student Activity
- Theoretical class
- Oral presentations
- Tutoring
Evaluation systems and criteria
In blended
- Multiple choice exam (25%)
- Exercise of short questions (25%)
- Exercise with statistical program (50%)
For each of the three blocks of the course, the three evaluation elements (i.e., test, short questions exercise and exercise with statistical program) will be carried out. In order to pass the course, each of the three blocks must be passed with a minimum grade of 5 in each one, averaging the grades of the three evaluation elements. In case of not passing the subject in the first call, the grade of the approved blocks will be maintained for the second call, having to take that/those not passed.
Bibliography and resources
Martínez-González MA, Sánchez-Villegas A, Faulín Fajardo FJ. Bioestadística amigable (4ª ED). Díaz de Santos. Madrid; 2020.
Piédrola Gil, et al. Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. 12ª Edición. Barcelona: Masson S.A.; 2015.