Applied Statistics in the Health Sciences
7,5 credits

General information

The course is an elective method course within the Master of Science programme in Integrative Health Science and a programme course in the Master programme in Food and Meal Science. The course is also offered as a freestanding course. Form of study: Distance without meeting. Language of instruction: English.

Level of study

A1N Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Entry requirements

Aim

The aim of the course is to enable students to develop theoretical and practical knowledge of common quantitative methods within the health sciences, such as descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression analysis.

Content

The course provides students with an introduction to statistics and to the general approach and assumptions of quantitative research, including its application within the health sciences. The principles for the conduct and analysis of quantitative studies are introduced. Theoretical aspects are mixed with practical computer exercises.

The course includes the following major components:

• basic statistical concepts
• measurement levels and distributional characteristics of variables
• using statistics software
• statistical description
• point and interval estimation
• hypothesis testing
• correlation
• regression (linear and logistic, simple and multivariate)
• reliability and validity

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, students shall be able to

• account for and discuss statistical concepts (1)
• describe and assess the distributional properties of variables (2)
• justify the choice of a method of statistical description and inference based on the research objectives and characteristics of data (3)

Competence and skills
On completion of the course, students shall be able to

• define an issue suitable for quantitative research in the health sciences (4)
• describe data statistically (5)
• formulate, execute and present testing of hypotheses and draw conclusions with regard to the formulated problem (6)
• conduct and present correlation and regression analyses (7)

• critically discuss the validity and generalisability of the results of their own statistical analyses (8)
• critically judge articles of quantitative health sciences research with regard to aspects of methodology and research ethics (9)

Implementation

The teaching takes place on a digital learning platform and includes text study, lectures and computer exercises. To attend the course, students must have access to a computer with internet connection.

Examination – tests and forms

Assessment 1 (1.5 credits) Critical review of a quantitative research article.
The review is to focus on aspects of methodology and research ethics. The exercise is carried out in pairs. Assessment of learning outcome 9. The grades Fail and Pass are applied.

Assessment 2 (6 credits) Conduct, interpret and report statistical analyses.
Written report of completed statistical data analyses (including the formulation of research questions, rationale of method choice and interpretation of results) as well as critical and constructive feedback to other students" report. The report part of the task is performed in pairs while the constructive feedback is done individually. Assessment of learning outcomes 1-8. The grades Fail, Pass and Pass with Distinction are applied.

The grades awarded are Fail, Pass and Pass with Distinction. For a grade of Pass on the whole course, the student must have been awarded this grade on both assessments. For a grade of Pass with Distinction, the student must have been awarded this grade on assessment 2.

The assessment rules of Kristianstad University are available at www.hkr.se/student.

Course evaluation

Course evaluation is conducted in accordance with guidelines issued by the University.

Decision

Approved by the Board of the Faculty of Health Science 2023-04-17. Valid from 2024-01-15. Discontinued 2024-11-27. Replaced by: HE8301 - Applied Statistics in the Health Sciences.

Transitional rules

A student admitted in accordance with this syllabus is entitled to be assessed according to the terms set down in it one (1) year after it has ceased to apply, i. e. when it has been replaced by a new syllabus or the course has been discontinued. A student who has not passed the course within one year of the date when the syllabus ceased to apply can, within another two years and subject to approval by the examiner, be offered further examination opportunities in accordance with a course syllabus deemed very similar to that of the discontinued course. However, the examination opportunities offered must only involve a marginal increase in the resources used. Subsequently, the student can only receive a certificate of passed course components.