MPH8003 : Introduction to Health Stats and Epidemiological Analysis
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Ms Vicky Ryan
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Jingky Lozano-Kuehne, Dr Richard McNally, Dr Dexter Canoy
- Lecturer: Professor James Wason
- Other Staff: Miss Dorcas Kareithi, Dr Moha Shojaei
- Owning School: Population Health Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To give students an understanding of the importance of statistical and epidemiological ideas in health sciences and to introduce concepts and techniques that will provide them with the ability to make sense of statistics and data. To enable students to interpret the results of statistical analyses reported in the literature and carry out and interpret a range of statistical analyses using Stata.
Outline Of Syllabus
This is an introduction to statistical and epidemiological theory and application, essential for health sciences. The emphasis will be on understanding and application of concepts, when and how to apply techniques, and how to interpret results. Computer practical sessions will reinforce learning and provide experience to carry out analyses, including how to interpret output. Topics covered are graphical and numerical data summary; commonly used statistical distributions; measures of frequency (incidence and prevalence); measures of association (rate ratios, relative risks, odds ratios); confidence intervals and hypothesis testing; statistical techniques for multiple comparisons; correlation and simple linear regression; data transformation; confounding and effect modification. Students will gain first-hand experience with STATA and the commands necessary to perform analyses.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Preparing for and completing the tasks for the Problem solving exercises assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Present in person: Lectures including interactive activities |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | Preparing for and completing an online multiple-choice exam. |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 22 | 1:30 | 33:00 | Technical exercises and guided reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in Person: Computer practical sessions - interactive activities around teaching |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Present in person: Scheduled office hours until the completion of the summative assessments (optional) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 64 | 1:00 | 64:00 | |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture materials, the linked weekly computer-based practical sessions and group work (both within and outside lectures) develop knowledge and module- specific skills. Knowledge and key skills are further developed through the weekly formative exercises and the data analysis project which is used as the summative assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 40 | PIP Inspera invigilated locked down exam - open book, 20 MCQs |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 60 | A series of short answer questions around the analysis of data and the interpretation of the results, and the interpretation of statistical results presented for short scenarios. [Max 1000 words] |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Practice short answer questions and MCQs |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The MCQs will test students' ability to perform simple calculations, interpret results and select suitable approaches to analyses.
The Problem Solving Exercises will test the students' data analysis and presentation skills in addition to their ability to interpret the results of analyses.
There are formative activities in the form of exercises (with outline answers) available for each session, along with practice MCQs throughout the module and a mock MCQ exam.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MPH8003's Timetable