Statistics for the clinical scientist MED5304

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

Statistics for clinical science

Timetable

12 lectures over 10 weeks

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

At least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in physics or engineering

Excluded Courses

none

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment is by examination of one hour's duration.

 

 

Reassessment

In accordance with the University's Code of Assessment reassessments are normally set for all courses which do not contribute to the honours classifications. For non honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students, and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions are listed below in this box.

Main Assessment In: March

Course Aims

The aim of this course is that students gain knowledge and understanding of the methodology involved in clinical research from the conception of a study, construction of a hypothesis, calculation of sample size through to the analysis of data and presentation of the completed project.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will:

■ demonstrate a critical awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of experimental study designs - e.g. double blinded crossover etc

■ be able to critically review journal articles with respect to the methods, results and clinical implications of their statistical methodology

■ be able to specify and appropriately test a relevant null hypothesis

And be able to:

■ undertake critical evaluations of a range of numerical and graphical experimental trial data

■ perform a power calculation

■ design an experiment appropriate to the hypothesis specified

■ perform appropriate statistical analyses using computer packages - e.g. Minitab, SPPS, R etc

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits