course-details-portlet

MH3021 - Statistical and epidemiological methods 1

About

New from the academic year 2024/2025

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 4 hours A

Course content

The course gives a basic introduction at master's level in epidemiology and a selection of statistical analysis methods in medicine and health sciences. The course goes through which quantitative methods are most suitable for different research questions. Other central topics include choice of study design, sources of error in quantitative research, descriptive statistics, application of commonly used statistical methods for comparisons and correlations, as well as critical reading and assessment. Emphasis is placed on providing students with hands-on experience in various aspects related to the completion of quantitative studies, with special emphasis on design, analysis, and the presentation and interpretation of results.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

After completing and passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Epidemiological and clinical study designs, and their strengths and weaknesses and suitability for various research questions
  • Measures of disease prevalence and causal relationships
  • Random errors
  • Description of categorical and continuous data
  • Analyses of one and two samples for both categorical and continuous data

Additionally, the students will have knowledge of:

  • Systematic errors such as confounding, selection bias and measurement errors
  • Regression analysis of categorical and continuous data

Ferdigheter

After completing and passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Calculate and interpret measures of disease incidence and causal relationships
  • Identify different study designs in research articles and describe their advantages and disadvantages
  • Identify different sources of systematic errors
  • Choose appropriate summary measures and graphical representation of quantitative data
  • Perform analyses of categorical and continuous data using the provided syntax for use in statistical programs
  • Interpret analyses of categorical and continuous data

General competence

After completing and passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Read and undertake a simple critical appraisal of articles that use quantitative methods and be able to apply knowledge from quantitative studies
  • Understand the presentation of statistical analyses and interpret results in research literature
  • Apply their knowledge and skills to plan a quantitative study under supervision

Learning methods and activities

The course will primarily be applied and focus on interpretation of analyses, with a lesser focus on formulas and calculations. Topics can be introduced shortly before the students do practical exercises with ready-made syntax (primarily .do files are used in Stata, but SPSS syntax can be presented if needed).

Compulsory assignments

  • Approved assignment activities

Further on evaluation

An compulsory assignment involving the evaluation and interpretation of results from a research paper must be approved in order to sit the exam. Approved compulsory activity is valid for three consecutive semesters after approval. Letter grade.

Required previous knowledge

Completed bachelor's degree or equivalent

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Ålesund , Gjøvik , Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Health Science
  • Public Health
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Public Health and Nursing

Timetable

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Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD School exam 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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