Overview

This unit introduces students to the concepts of modern health statistics. Emphasis is given to understanding the importance of using appropriate statistical procedures in analysing health data, accessing, analysing and assessing publicly available Australian and international health datasets, and developing the ability to critically assess health-related reports and journal articles of a statistical nature. Topics and assignments are designed to develop student capability in choosing appropriate statistical measures to investigate and estimate relationships in health data; and design and interpret the results of systematic review and meta-analyses in health-related projects.

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe health information systems and how they inform decision making
  • Select and apply appropriate statistical methods in health statistics
  • Interpret public health-related reports and journal articles
  • Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and interpret results
  • Write brief reports summarising statistical methods and analysis

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture
2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial
2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various
4.00 12 weeks 48
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
4.50 12 weeks 54
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 40% 1,2,3,4,5 
ExaminationIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4,5 
PresentationIndividual 10% 2,3,4 

Content

  • Health Informatics
  • Interpretation and communication of results
  • Modelling binary outcome variables (logistic regression)
  • Modelling count variables (Poisson regression)
  • Survival analysis and life table
  • Sample size calculation
  • Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
  • Practical application of survival analysis, sample size calculations and systematic review
  • Writing and publishing Scientific Manuscripts

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.