Theory and Methods in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Code
21213
Academic unit
NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Department
Epidemiology
Credits
2
Teacher in charge
Profª. Doutora Luzia Augusta Pires Gonçalves
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to apply principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in medical microbiology. A dialogue with statisticians and epidemiologists is encouraged when a problem requires more advanced mathematical and epidemiological details. After the course students should be able to:
- To demonstrate a basic understanding of epidemiologic and statistical methods in a research project;
-To calculate, interpret and summarize the results of the descriptive statistics and exploratory data analysis for the purpose of scientific publications;
- To choose and perform statistical hypothesis tests (parametric and non-parametric), providing a critical interpretation of results and given a particular attention to the assumptions of each test;
- To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tests;
- To discuss the study design, merits and limitations of an epidemiological study.
Prerequisites
n/a
Subject matter
1. The role of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics in biomedical research. Descriptive statistics and exploratory data analysis.
2. Statistical inference: estimation of parameters, hypothesis testing. Assumptions and cautions with results. Parametric tests vs non-parametric tests.
3. Epidemiological principles in clinic research. Different types of studies.
4. Diagnostic tests: estimation of sensitivity, specificity and predictive values.
5. Incidence and prevalence. Risk and measures of association. Error, bias, casual inference, interaction and confounding.
Bibliography
Armstrong, R.A., Hilton, A.C. (2010) Statistical Analysis in Microbiology: StatNotes. WileyBlackwell.
Bopal, R. S. (2008) Concepts of epidemiology. Oxford University Press, 2nd Ed.
Daniel, W.W. (2004) Biostatistics: a foundation for analysis in the health sciences. John Wiley & Sons, 8th Ed.
Paulson, D.S. (2008) Biostatistics and Microbiology. A Survival Manual. Springer, 1st Ed.
Sheskin, D. J. (2007) Handbook of Parametric and Nonparametric Statistical Procedures. Chapman& Hall/ CRC. 4th Ed.
Teaching method
This unit includes theoretical and practical sessions to introduce students to basic concepts and the most relevant topics, combining periods of exposure, solving practical problems and analysing databases through statistical programs. In some practical sessions students are encouraged to analyse their own dataset, if possible. The discussion of the inconsistencies found in the literature, addressing statistical and epidemiologic issues will be encouraged. Throughout the course, we intend to use dynamic teachinglearning methodologies, stimulating the interaction and an active participation of doctoral students.
Evaluation method
The total contact hours (20 hrs.) will be distributed by 8 theoretical and practical sessions (16 hrs.), 2 tutorial sessions (2 hrs.) and 2 for assessment. A workload of 60 hours for individual study is estimated for this unit. In the practical sessions will be used statistical package (e.g. SPSS, EPITools and others) and other online platforms (e.g. Moodle). The final assessment will be a written exam (100%). This exam includes different type of questions (e.g. multiple choice, true/false and essay questions).