Georgia Southern University
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

PUBH 9130 – Professional Seminar in Biostatistics
Spring 2009

 

Prerequisites:                  PUBH 8130

Web-CT Address:    

Catalog Description:            This course focuses on study design and sampling methods as well as data analysis of small and large, national and local health surveys and vital statistics in order to gain experience describing data using effective graphical and numerical methods. Students will use statistical software (SAS) to analyze data originating from various survey designs, including data from experimental designs such as parallel, longitudinal studies that involve several treatment or intervention groups. Students will work in groups on data analysis projects and case studies in order to be exposed to others' expertise in different areas of public health and to learn effective collaboration. Readings from the literature in public health and biomedical studies will be analyzed and critiqued so that students will gain experience in distinguishing effective data analysis techniques. Emphasis will be placed on the development of critical thinking skills, statistical reasoning, and collaboration. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in PUBH 8130.

Required Textbook:      There is no required text.  Course notes are provided online.

 Dr.P.H. Biostatistics Core Competencies:

Upon graduation a student with a Dr.P.H. should be able to: 

1. Construct a public health and biomedical research question for which a survey or an experiment is to address. 

2. Demonstrate skills for translating public health practice objectives to the appropriate biostatistical framework for analysis. 

3. Defend reasons for selecting various biostatistical methods of analysis of survey and experimental data from readings and case studies.

4. Summarize data to present effective tabular and graphical displays of data obtained from large health surveys, vital statistics, and other public health and biomedical data sources.

5. Interpret effectively descriptive data from public health and biomedical studies. 

6. Interpret inferential methods such as confidence intervals and significance tests results for answering public health research questions. 

7. Explain commonly used aspects of sampling methodology including simple random, stratified, and cluster sampling as well as telephone and internet sampling. 

8. Define strategies for design-based and model-based analysis of sample survey data. 

9. Design a questionnaire for measuring objectives of a public health and biomedical research question. 

10. Explain commonly used methods for handling non-response and missing data found in public health and biomedical surveys. 

11. Illustrate sufficient substantive knowledge of advanced biostatistical methods such as multiple regression, logistic regression, survival analysis, factor analysis, and repeated measures in order to interact with a biostatistician in a meaningful way. 

12. Prepare written and oral presentations of individual and collaborative public health practice-based projects using biostatistical methods of analysis. 

13. Interrelate effectively among biostatisticians and professionals in other areas of public health in order to plan, conduct, interpret, and communicate biostatistical analyses in a meaningful way.

Course Objectives:   At the end of this course, students will be able to: 

1. Describe commonly used study designs found in the public health and biomedical literature. (competencies 3, 7)  

2. Defend the use of various study designs under appropriate settings. (competencies 3, 7)

3. Define commonly used terminology in sampling such as: population, population parameters, sampling frames, bias, mean square error, validity, reliability, and accuracy. (competencies 3, 7) 

4. Explain the various types of bias, including selection, response, and non-response bias in public health and biomedical studies. (competencies 3, 7) 

5. Construct a public health and biomedical research question for which a survey or an experiment is to address. (competency 1) 

6. Apply simple random sampling techniques for data collection. (competencies 2, 3, 7, 8) 

7. Apply stratified sampling techniques for data collection. (competencies 2, 3, 7, 8) 

8. Apply cluster sampling techniques for data collection. (competencies 2, 3, 7, 8) 

9. Design a sample survey for a public health or biomedical study. (competency 9)
   
10.  Define basic strategies for design- and model-based analysis. (competencies 8, 11) 

11. Explain techniques used to address non-response and missing data in public health and biomedical studies. (competency 10) 

12. Apply various numerical and graphical methods for effectively describing public health and biomedical data, especially data found in complex surveys, public health records, and vital statistics. (competencies 2, 4, 11) 

13. Interpret numerical and graphical summaries of data from large health surveys as well as experimental designs in public health and biomedical studies. (competencies 5, 6) 

14. Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate biostatistical analyses from the literature in public health. (competencies 3, 11) 

15. Prepare written and oral presentations of individual and collaborative public health practice-based projects using biostatistical methods of analysis. (competency 12) 

16. Interrelate effectively among biostatisticians and professionals in other areas of public health in order to plan, conduct, interpret, and communicate biostatistical analyses in a meaningful way. (competency 13)    

Overview of the Content to be Covered During the Semester: 

Week	Topic	Readings	Assignment
1	Uses of sample surveys, the population, and the sample; Commonly used study designs in public health (Learning Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 15, 16)	Class notes 2 Class notes 3	TBA
2	Bias; Simple random, stratified, & cluster sampling techniques (Learning Objectives: 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16)	Class notes 3 Class notes 4 Class notes 5 Class notes 6 Class notes 7 Class notes 8 Class notes 9 Class notes 10 Class notes 11	TBA
3-7	Designing a sample survey (Learning Objectives: 5, 9, 15, 16)	Class notes 3 Class notes 4 Class notes 5 Class notes 6 Class notes 7 Class notes 8 Class notes 9 Class notes 10 Class notes 11	TBA
8	Non-response & missing data (Learning Objectives: 11, 15, 16)	Class notes 13	TBA
9-10	Questionnaire design, reliability and validity(Learning Objectives: 2, 3, 5.)	Class notes Questionnaires	TBA
11-12	Strategies for model- & design-based analysis (Learning Objectives: 10, 15, 16)	Class notes 15 Class notes 16	TBA
13-14	Numerical & graphical methods in data analysis (Learning Objectives: 2, 11, 13, 15, 16)	Class notes on graphics and tables	TBA
15	Analyzing biostatistical analyses from public health & biomedical literature (Learning Objectives: 14, 15, 16)	Class notes on interpretation and presentation of biomedical results	TBA

Instructional Methods:         Class meetings will be a combination of lecture and class discussion.  Homework assignments as well as a final examination constitute the basis of student evaluation.   Students are expected to make use of ample office hours to discuss concepts or difficulties they may have.

Grading:                           Weighting of assignments for purposes of grading will be as follows: 

Assignments         ……….………………….         75%

                                                (assesses learning objectives: 1-14, individually**)

Final Exam            ……….………………….         25%

                                                 (assesses learning objectives: 1-14, integrated**)

                                                                                                                        ____

                                          Total Possible                                                       100%                                   

** Integrated refers to assessing all or some of the 14 learning objectives simultaneously, while individually refers to assessing the learning objectives as we cover them. 

The following point scale will be utilized in grading: 

90% - 100%          A
80% -   90%          B
70% -   80%          C
60% -   70%          D                                  

                                         There are times when extraordinary circumstances occur (e.g., serious illness, death in the family, etc.).  In such circumstances, and/or if you need additional time to satisfactorily complete any course requirement, please consult with the instructor within a reasonable amount of time. 

 Academic Misconduct:  As a student registered at this University, it is expected that you will adhere to only the strictest standards of conduct.  It is recommended that you review the latest edition of the Student Conduct Code book, as well as the latest Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog to familiarize yourself with the University’s policies in this regard.  Your continued enrollment in this course is an implied contract between you and the instructor on this issue; from this point forward, it is assumed that you will conduct yourself appropriately. 

Academic integrity relates to the appropriate use of intellectual property.  The syllabus, lecture notes, and all materials presented and/or distributed during this course are protected by copyright law.  Students are authorized to take notes in class, but that authorization extends only to making one set of notes for personal (and no other) use.  As such, students are not authorized to sell, license, commercially publish, distribute, transmit, display, or record notes in or from class without the express written permission of the instructor. 

Academic Handbook:     Students are expected to abide by the Academic Handbook, located at http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/sta/guide/.  Your failure to comply with any part of this Handbook may be a violation and thus, you may receive an F in the course and/or be referred for disciplinary action. 

University Calendar:     The University Calendar is located with the semester schedule, and can be found at: http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/registrar/calendar.htm.

Attendance Policy:         Federal regulations require attendance be verified prior to distribution of financial aid allotments.  Attendance will not be recorded after this initial period.

One Final Note:               The contents of this syllabus are as complete and accurate as possible.  The instructor reserves the right to make any changes necessary to the syllabus and course material.  The instructor will make every effort to inform students of changes as they occur.  It is the responsibility of the student to know what changes have been made in order to successfully complete the requirements of the course.